Articles in Vol. 36.3, Jul-Sep 2021

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited: The Need for Privatisation
By: Gp Capt AK Sachdev | Issue: Vol. 36.3, Jul-Sep 2021 | Date: 06 Nov , 2021
The IAF as the largest captive client for HAL, as well as the other two services, have never been happy with HAL as quality, reliability and punctuality have been issues that have constantly been...

The Sead Challenge: Trends in Threats to Surface-Based Air Defences
By: Col Mandeep Singh | Issue: Vol. 36.3, Jul-Sep 2021 | Date: 02 Nov , 2021
The drones may seem to have an edge over air defence systems, but it is a matter of time that the advantage will be lost. The number of drones shot down over the years says it all. A total of 31...

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...

In Pursuit of the FRCV Pipedream
By: Lt Gen (Dr) NB Singh | Issue: Vol. 36.3, Jul-Sep 2021 | Date: 26 Oct , 2021
“It isn’t about getting to the LAC quickly, it’s about winning there.” A fresh Request for Information (RFI) to procure over 1,700 Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) has been issued by...

Directed-Energy Weapons: Mirage or Reality? Light at the end of the Tunnel
By: Gp Capt Joseph Noronha | Issue: Vol. 36.3, Jul-Sep 2021 | Date: 25 Oct , 2021
No doubt, much remains to be done before Directed-Energy Weapons (DEWs) make a convincing transition from laboratory wonders to effective and reliable weapons of war. But there is finally light at...

Who were the Mysterious ‘Tibetan 419 Troops’ in 1962?
By: Claude Arpi | Issue: Vol. 36.3, Jul-Sep 2021 | Date: 13 Oct , 2021
China always speaks of the 1962 War against India as a ‘Self-Defence Counter-Attack’. In this context, the setting up of the Z-419 Force was a turning point in the unfolding confrontation...

India’s National Security Options in a Penta-Polar World – Scenario 2030
By: Navneet Bhushan | Issue: Vol. 36.3, Jul-Sep 2021 | Date: 12 Oct , 2021
We claim that a penta-polar world is emerging. We also claim that, “To be there in 2030-2035, India needs to play out the penta-polar world dynamics through a multi-alignment strategy backed up...

The Concept of Theatre Command in the Indian Context
By: Gp Capt AK Sachdev | Issue: Vol. 36.3, Jul-Sep 2021 | Date: 10 Oct , 2021
On July 02, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat stated, “Do not forget that Air Force continues to remain a supporting arm to the armed forces, just as artillery or the...

Proxy War: Should India Actively Enter into this Realm to Achieve its...
By: Col Mridul Kamal Gaind | Issue: Vol. 36.3, Jul-Sep 2021 | Date: 06 Oct , 2021
Achieving objectives by fair means or foul, that is the most important spiritual legacy of the renaissance. In the middle ages, this represented a breakthrough against romantic chivalry and the...

Forum Army 2021: Some Salient Points and Takeaways
By: Lt Gen (Dr) VK Saxena (Retd.) | Issue: Vol. 36.3, Jul-Sep 2021 | Date: 04 Oct , 2021
What is Forum 2021? International Military Technical Forum (called Forum in short) is an annual event organised and supported by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Russian Federation. The 7th...

India’s Extended Neighbourhood in Turmoil: Afghanistan – A Vacuum or a...
By: Lt Gen (Dr) JS Bajwa | Issue: Vol. 36.3, Jul-Sep 2021 | Date: 26 Sep , 2021
“The Iraqi and Afghan wars have not ‘ended.’ Only America’s involvement has ‘ended.’ …When a country leaves a war before achieving victory it is not called leaving. It is called...

India’s Wait and Watch in Afghanistan: The Strategic Space
By: Danvir Singh | Issue: Vol. 36.3, Jul-Sep 2021 | Date: 24 Sep , 2021
Under no circumstances Pakistan will ever allow the Quetta Shura led Taliban an upper hand in the affairs of Afghanistan. It comes as little surprise to witness the return of Taliban fighters back...