Tag: war

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IAF STRATEGIES: PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE

 

Article Published in the book on

India’s Military Strategy

 

 

Book released by Gyan Chakra: Western Army Command Think Tank

 

 

IAF STRATEGIES: PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE

 

“The art of winning a war can be learnt by understanding some rules (Strategies) and then applying them in a practical manner.”

―  Chanakya & the Art of War: excerpts

 

Introduction

 

Aerospace power is a decisive factor and a game-changer in the current context of geostrategic uncertainties. The application of aerospace power, although looks simple but is a complex process. Major roles of aerospace power during war include shaping the environment, offensive force application, and synergising the operations with surface forces, but aerospace power plays a pivotal role during peace and transition from peace to war.

 

Military strategy refers to the art and science of planning and directing military operations and campaigns. It involves the development of plans and tactics for the use of military force in achieving specific objectives, whether in a single battle or a larger campaign. Military strategy is based on the analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of both one’s own forces and those of the enemy, as well as the political and social context of the conflict. The military strategy typically involves a number of components, including, objectives, force structure, and deployment, logistics, tactics, intelligence, communications, risk assessment, etc. Effective military strategy requires careful planning and execution, as well as flexibility and adaptation based on changing circumstances. Successful military leaders must be able to think creatively, make quick decisions under pressure, and inspire and motivate their troops to achieve their objectives.

 

Air warfare strategy, a subset of military strategy, is the art of planning and directing overall air operations, and it depends on several factors. Effective air strategy requires careful consideration of these factors and needs to adapt to changing circumstances and situations. 

 

The air strategy of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has evolved over a period of time, reflecting changes in strategic priorities, operational environment, doctrine and technology. While it is worthwhile to trace the evolutionary process of the past, it is also valuable to look at the ones to deal with existing challenges and suggest some future strategies.

 

Air Strategies & Influencing Factors

 

Continue reading “IAF STRATEGIES: PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE”

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AEROSPACE POWER STRATEGIES TO DEAL WITH MULTIPLE THREATS WITH LIMITED RESOURCES

 

 

Article published in the inaugural issue of “Blue Yonder”, a Journal published by the Centre for Air Power Studies.

 

Peculiarity: There are no references (except from the quote below), and it has been written drawing from own experiences and impressions.

 

“Strategy is a broad concept, embracing an objective, resources, and a plan for using those resources to achieve the objective”.

 – William P. Snyder

 

Introduction

 

Aerospace power is a decisive factor and a game-changer in any war. The application of aerospace power, although looks simple but is a complex process. Major roles of Aerospace power during war include shaping the environment, offensive force application, and synergising the operations with surface forces.

 

Resources influence strategy, especially at the strategic and operational levels. Air Resources are costly and generally limited. The availability of resources depends upon factors like cost, affordability, and national objectives and priorities. A superpower like the USA has adequate air resources to distribute them among all the services (Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marines) and all the theatres (covering the entire Globe). Others have to manage with whatever they have and can afford.

 

The problem becomes accentuated when a nation faces more than one enemy, individually or collusively, and on multiple fronts. In such a scenario one does not have the luxury of keeping the air assets idle, and they have to be utilised optimally to achieve the desired objectives. Innovative strategies need to be devised for the effective utilisation of assets in such situations.

 

Aerospace Power Strategies.

 

Continue reading “AEROSPACE POWER STRATEGIES TO DEAL WITH MULTIPLE THREATS WITH LIMITED RESOURCES”

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AEROINDIA 2023: Impressions & Inferences (Opportunities)

 

 

Theme

 “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities”

 

Aero India is a business opportunity event.

 

During the Aero India Show, numerous manufacturers and service providers from the Indian and foreign aerospace and aviation industry (including big international companies, domestic companies, MSMEs, and startups,  both from private and public sectors) would get a chance to showcase their products, meet the potential buyers and finalise deals.

 

The airshow also provides ideas about new technologies, platforms, weapons, and systems.

 

New Technologies that are influencing warfare in general and air warfare in particular are:-

 

    • Quantum computing – the ability to compute and handle data.

 

    • Space-based internet – Data availability (Speed & Capacity).

 

    • Hypersonics – expanding the zone of combat in both offensive and defensive operations.

 

    • AI + Robotics + Miniaturisation – Unmanned platforms in all domains of air, sea, and land.

 

    • Networked environment.

 

    • Virtual Reality + Artificial Reality + 3D Holography.

 

Some of the future opportunities for the defence and aviation companies are:-

 

    • Unmanned Platforms in land, sea, and air domain.
      • Drones and Swarms.

 

      • Anti-drone systems.

 

      • Combination of manned and unmanned platforms (Loyal wingman concept).

 

    • New Generation platforms (6th/7th generation) – maybe space capable.

 

    • Multi-domain, multi-sensor ISR systems.

 

    • AI-based systems (with decision support and what-if options).

 

    • AI-enabled networked solutions for data collection, analysis, planning, dissemination, and monitoring.

 

    • Smart Weapons with the following capabilities:-

 

      • Standoff.

 

      • precision.

 

      • shoot and scoot.

 

      • Fire and forget.

 

      • Search and strike.

 

      • Selective targeting.

 

      • multi-target engagement.

 

    •  Protective infrastructure – Protection from kinetic weapons, hypersonic weapons, and CBRN (Chemical, biological, radiation, and nuclear) attacks.

 

    • Survivability enhancement systems –

 

      • Armour plating.

 

      • EW systems.

 

      • Deception measures.

 

The air show theme, “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities”, aptly describes it.

 

More coming up (IAF and airshow)…..

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

 

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References and credits

To all the online sites and channels.

 

Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from sources deemed reliable and accurate. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for purposes of wider dissemination.