A fair number of our articles are devoted to analysing Indiaâs Air Power.  Air Marshal Dhiraj Kukreja has comprehensively dwelt on Indiaâs present and future combat fleet. Drones as game changers are presented lucidly by S Gopal. Space is considered an adjunct to air power; Gp Capt AK Sachdev has analysed this aspect in relation to Indiaâs space endeavours. IAF phased out its fleet of Canberra medium bombers in 1990. Was that a well considered decision taking into account Indiaâs future growth as a regional and global power? The role of bombers in the air force is pithily argued by Sqn Ldr Vijainder Thakur. As aircraft exploit the air medium, air defence weapons aim to deny this freedom to aircraft and missiles. Air Marshal Anil Chopra brings forth the success of the âIron Domeâ deployed by the Israelis and its role in protecting surface targets.
This issue also covers Indiaâs âsub-conventional deficitâ by our special correspondent and the present state of insurgency in Indiaâs North East region by Brig R Borthakur. Gen Vijay Oberoi has highlighted the need for a structural change in Indiaâs higher defence management. Brig Deepak Sinha has raised the issue of Indiaâs security strategy and doctrine being on divergent paths. Maj Gen AK Chadha has emphatically put forth the need for the military in the digitalised battle field to carve out its own âslice of spaceâ for operating successfully in such a future war scenario. Air Marshal Anil Chopra and Dr SN Misra have presented the efficacy of TOT and off sets and challenges before the defence industry. Mr Kanwal Sibal has critically assessed the evolving dynamics of Indo-US relations. Gen JS Lidder with his UN experience has looked at the need for enhancing the role of women in conflict zones. Claude Arpi has been a keen China watcher. He presents the current situation in the PLA consequent to the crackdown by the Chinese President Xi Jinping on the wide spread corruption in the Chinese PLA.
The IDR has endeavoured through the range of articles to hold the interest of the serious reader of military affairs.