Strategic Advantage Of Air Power Select Writings Of Air Commodore Jasjit Singh Avsm Vrc Vm

Air Commodore Jasjit Singh was one of India's foremost strategic analysts. The only constant for him in over three decades of research, analyses and writing was the centrality of national interest. Indeed, the man never let the nation down, whether as an air warrior or a strategist - ever ready to voice his views irrespective of how the wind was blowing - and always remaining practical in approach. Ever an optimist, he believed that India would inevitably rise to power by the sheer size of its economy and human resource potential. A greater concern for him, however, was the need to sensitize his compatriots to the national security challenges that would arise as the country rose, and to equip them with the capability to optimally address these. He did so through his writings and talks. This book is a modest compilation of his select writings on two specific issues - nuclear strategy and Pakistan - since he considered these as critical amongst India's many security challenges. Of course, the range of Jasjit Singh's writings and the expanse of his knowledge is immense and beyond capture in one book. But, this is a small effort in the direction of spreading his message/ideas to the current and future generation of scholars and policy makers. Hopefully, it will encourage students of national security to look for more of his writings beyond the few that we have been able to carry in this volume.

Air Commodore Jasjit Singh was one of India’s foremost strategic analysts. The only constant for him in over three decades of research, analyses and writing was the centrality of national interest. Indeed, the man never let the nation down, whether as an air warrior or a strategist – ever ready to voice his views irrespective of how the wind was blowing – and always remaining practical in approach. Ever an optimist, he believed that India would inevitably rise to power by the sheer size of its economy and human resource potential. A greater concern for him, however, was the need to sensitize his compatriots to the national security challenges that would arise as the country rose, and to equip them with the capability to optimally address these. He did so through his writings and talks. This book is a modest compilation of his select writings on two specific issues – nuclear strategy and Pakistan – since he considered these as critical amongst India’s many security challenges. Of course, the range of Jasjit Singh’s writings and the expanse of his knowledge is immense and beyond capture in one book. But, this is a small effort in the direction of spreading his message/ideas to the current and future generation of scholars and policy makers. Hopefully, it will encourage students of national security to look for more of his writings beyond the few that we have been able to carry in this volume.

Indian Air Force now completes 80 years since it was formed as an independent component of India’s armed forces. Time and again, the air force has performed magnificently even against severe odds, and built up a professional reputation that is the envy of leading air forces of the word. This volume, as the Second Edition of the earlier volume published in 2007 has been extensively revised and updated. Air Forces are unique in the sense that they are the only national military institution exclusively devoted to military operations in the aerospace continuum. The Indian Air Force is no different. But their dominant role in modern warfare, the high costs of aerospace power, and a host of other factors demand closer attention to their role in modern defence and the protection of national interests. Air Forces don’t win wars by themselves; and no one in the Indian Air Force has ever claimed it. But no war can be won without them. We learnt that seminal lesson the hard way when we did not use the potent force of the IAF’s combat fleet in the Sino-Indian War of 1962. It is from this perspective that this study — or rather an interpretative essay reflecting on the significant issues and events of the past 80 years — approaches the challenges the Indian Air Force faces in the coming decades. IAF combat force levels have slumped while its commitments are rapidly growing in consonance with our expanding economic and political interests well beyond our territorial boundaries.

Just think: the last combat aircraft designed by the 74-year old HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd) with its expansive infrastructure was in the 1950s – and it was an excellent aircraft. Thirty years later an ad-hoc, interim institution called ADA (Aeronautics Development Agency) was set to design the LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) under the DRDO management. Thirty years later the aircraft has yet to enter service although the Indian Air Force has ordered 40 aircraft knowing they do not meet the qualitative requirements set in the early 1980s, leave alone the 21st century! Even the primary trainer for rookie pilots has just begun to be imported. Obviously something is wrong for a long time; and obviously it is a systemic problem. This volume sets out to historically examine and present a balanced understatement of the facts. Some of the leading experts in the profession of aerospace identify the problems. The reader is left to form his judgment and what appears an obvious solution. The Air Force is the most concerned stakeholder in the quality and quantity of military aircraft; but it seems to have been left on the sidelines in the process of to be criticised as being against indigenisation. We recognise that India is way behind the developed countries — and China now, in design and development of military aviation. We don’t have to go far to find the way ahead. Ninety-five percent of the Indian Navy’s warships and submarines are designed and manufactured in the country (tough many systems inside, like its missiles, may be acquired from the best in the world). The reason is starkly so simple that South Block itself does not notice it! Naval Head Quarters contain within its organisation under the leadership and the Chief of Naval Staff, the Directorate of Naval Design as well as the Controller of Warship Production besides the other supporting organisations like WESEE etc. Hence when the indigenous INS Delhi sailed out in the 1990s, the international community began to look at Indian Navy with new respect. Why can’t similar system be established for the Army and the Air Force? Read the volume to ask your questions and mull over possible solutions.

The Indian Air Force which was initially created as an independent military force proved to be an independent and versatile component of India’s military power in 1971 War. This book provides insightful essays and material to critically review and revalidate some of the continuing concepts and approaches to the planning and execution of military operations. This edited version delves into the national interest protection and legitimate compulsions for India to go into war. The compilation also lays out the canvass for a comparison study with the one in 1965. The analyses on military strategy of Pakistan and avenues of shortcoming in joint planning bring out important lessons in force employment. The aggressive dimensions of offensive actions by all the three Services have been well documented. The 1971 War proved the heroism, steadfastness and courage of junior leadership that, incidentally, has also been the hallmark during Kargil in 1999. Despite frequent criticisms on jointness, instances of combined resoluteness and mutual trust during 1971 War contributed immensely to the victory. Valuable lessons can be inferred from instances where objectivity in political decisions brought about judicious outcomes through demonstrable use of military power. The book also provides a few analytical horizons on the background framework of Simla Agreement and certain events in the past that could have developed a different template for history. Air power may be difficult to understand but an evaluation of the purpose, cost and expected gains as evident from various instances of history including 1971 War would bring an end to many irreconcilable and inchoate debates. This book makes for a compelling read for those in quest of understanding the competence of air power and its dominant influences to shape victory.