Articles By Air Marshal Anil Chopra
Rotary Wing Platforms: India’s Great Indigenisation Story
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Issue: Vol. 38.1, Jan-Mar 2023 | Date: 13 Apr , 2023
India has come a long way since the Indian aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) first started manufacturing helicopters in 1962, by entering an agreement with Sud-Aviation...
Role of the IAF: In Possible Conflagration in Ladakh
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 14 Feb , 2023
Aerospace is now the dominant means of prosecution of operations in all domains. The requirement of air superiority remains highly desirable. “If we lose the war in the air, we lose the war...
Operational Capability of LCA Tejas Variants
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Issue: Vol. 37.4, Oct-Dec 2022 | Date: 31 Dec , 2022
With the clearance for the development of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 2 fighter for the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has reposed its trust...
Drone Incursions on Rise: New form of Cross-Border Terrorism
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Date: 08 Dec , 2022
As per the data released by the Government of India, 171 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or drones from Pakistan entered Punjab in the nine months from 1 January 2022 to 30 September 2022. Another...
Indian Air Force in International Air Exercises
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 06 Dec , 2022
The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently participated in two major air exercises. Exercise ‘Garuda VII’ was with French Air and Space Force (FASF) at Jodhpur and the 17-nation Multilateral...
Preparedness Priorities for the Indian Air Force
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Date: 25 Nov , 2022
The continuing India-China showdown in Ladakh once again brought to focus, the preparedness of Indian armed forces to take on the aggressive and mostly belligerent China. China’s fast growing...
India’s Aviation Technology Growth Strategy
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Issue: Vol. 37.3, Jul-Sep 2022 | Date: 01 Nov , 2022
Air war in Ukraine is being watched very closely. Despite large asymmetry, Russians have faced resistance from Ukraine through smart use of air defence and anti-tank missiles and precision...
How Prepared is the IAF for a War with China?
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Issue: Vol. 37.3, Jul-Sep 2022 | Date: 23 Oct , 2022
Both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) have come a long way since their early beginnings in the 1950s. The IAF had British and French aircraft in the...
Atmanirbharta: Aircraft Production Ecosystem in India
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Date: 15 Oct , 2022
The formal induction of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) “Prachand” (Fierce) into the Indian Air Force (IAF) was done in a special ceremony presided by...
Rebuilding the Combat Fleet of the IAF to 42 Squadrons
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Issue: Vol. 37.1, Jan-Mar 2022 | Date: 28 Sep , 2022
In his first major media interaction in October 2021, just after taking over as the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said, “The Indian Air Force (IAF) is focused on...
Hypersonic PGMS and Conventional Missiles: Need for Manned Multi-Role Aircraft
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Issue: Vol. 37.2, Apr-Jun 2022 | Date: 15 Jul , 2022
Russia launching hypersonic missiles during the Ukraine war heralds a new era of warfare introducing the cocktail of high speed and lethality. The Russian claims of launching Kh-47M2 Kinzhal...
Unmanned Wingman Plan India
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Issue: Vol. 37.2, Apr-Jun 2022 | Date: 30 Jun , 2022
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has announced that flight testing of India’s ‘Loyal Wingman’ warrior drone would begin by 2024. The loyal wingman drones will accompany manned Indian Air...
Need to Prioritise the IAF’s Unmanned Offensive and Defensive Capability
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Issue: Vol. 37.1, Jan-Mar 2022 | Date: 22 Apr , 2022
“Victory smiles upon those who anticipate the changes in the character of war, not upon those who wait to adapt themselves after the changes occur.” — Giulio Douhet For long, defence...
Managing a Congested Airspace over the Future Battle Area
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Issue: Vol. 36.4, Oct-Dec 2021 | Date: 09 Jan , 2022
The number of platforms and projectiles in the Tactical Battle Area (TBA) has increased exponentially. The friendly and adversary aerial systems are not only increasing in numbers, but are also of...
QUAD - Turning into Eastern NATO
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Issue: Vol. 36.4, Oct-Dec 2021 | Date: 23 Dec , 2021
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD, also known as the Quad) is an informal strategic forum between four nations – the United States (US), Japan, Australia and India. It is maintained by...
China’s Growing Defence Exports in Asia: A Challenge for “Make in India”
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Issue: Vol. 36.3, Jul-Sep 2021 | Date: 29 Oct , 2021
India’s defence export strategy would have to balance China in the Indian Ocean Region. China has the economic might to sell arms cheaper. Their production scales would have to be matched. India...
Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems: Existential Threat to Humanity?
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Issue: Vol. 36.2, Apr-Jun 2021 | Date: 20 Oct , 2021
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the most important asset for autonomous systems. India needs to master AI technologies and applications; no one parts with them. India has to make a serious...
Air Space Control: Challenges and the Way Ahead
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Issue: Vol. 36.2, Apr-Jun 2021 | Date: 07 Jul , 2021
Myriads of sensors will help create a very realistic day and night, all-weather situational picture for the commanders and controllers to manage air space more efficiently. It will be possible to...
UAVs: A Potent Operational Asset
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Issue: Vol. 36.1, Jan-Mar 2021 | Date: 31 Mar , 2021
Despite tacit understanding between China and India, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) continue to play a significant role in the face-off between them in Ladakh. Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to...
Does India need a Strategic Bomber?
By: Air Marshal Anil Chopra | Issue: Vol. 36.1, Jan-Mar 2021 | Date: 10 Mar , 2021
A South China Morning Post, report of November 26, 2020, says, China’s H-20 stealth bomber will give China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) a ‘truly intercontinental’ strike...