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China’s Military Space Capabilities and Its Implications for India
Full text linkChina’s rapid advancements in space-based capabilities from surveillance and communications to navigation and earth observation, are just not competing against but are also challenging the American supremacy in outer space. With a strong military dimension to its space programme, China aims to make itself combat-ready in fighting an informationised and intelligentised warfare’ as China sees space as a critical domain in international strategic competition. This makes it imperative to understand the nature of China’s space programme, the use of space for Chinese military operations and its implications for other countries
Pakistan’s in a Mess, But It’s Survival Likely
Full text linkThe article carries out a recapitulation of key past events and a realistic assessment of the situation in Pakistan and its implications, especially in the region. The economy, internal stability and security, political leadership and foreign affairs, all seem to drive Pakistan towards an abyss. Will it fall into it or will it recover? Political elements in Pakistan will always play the politics which exploit the negatives of Indo-Pak relations to create opportunities for themselves. Only a stable government can give peace a chance, but in Pakistan, the only government which can be stable is the one which has the backing of the army. The current political crisis and its implications indicate a number of scenarios playing out which going by past precedent and the imperative of the army remaining the king makers are predicted by the author with precision
Recent Developments in Tibet and Xinjiang: Implications for India
Full text linkThe current conflicts in Europe and the Middle East have led to an urgent review by nations globally, with respect to their militarypreparedness and security strategies. These conflicts have once again re-established the probability of conventional conflict, especially where there are festering issues of dissonance between neighbouring nation states. Therefore, the increased belligerence of an assertive China, manifesting in hegemonistic actions in its extended neighbourhood, is a matter of concern for India. It is necessary for India to be awareof the socio-economic and infrastructure changes in China’s bordering autonomous regions of Xinjiang and Tibet, which have an impact on its war-waging capabilities. This article studies the transformational changes underway in these two bordering regions, that impinge directly on India’s security
Massed Fires to Precision: Is the Balance Shifting?
Full text linkThe need for precision was felt during the Vietnam War. This led to the development of a variety of Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs)which led to these being selectively used in the interregnum. The current war in Ukraine has seen an increasing quantum of MassedFire as well as Precision Fire. In many phases, Russia has been firing 20,000 rounds per day while Ukraine is firing 4000 rounds. Artillery is the principal arm being used for operations. There is a need to see how our environment has been impacted. In our context, the Kargil operation in 1999 was the harbinger for the introduction of PGMs. Gradually we have introduced them and the high point was the usage of Spice 2000 bombs in the strike on Balakot in 2019. Precision weapons are costly and use of these on prioritised targets would be the answer. 
Leadership: Six Studies in World Strategy: Henry Kissinger
Full text link‘Leadership: Six Studies in World Strategy’ is a book authored by Henry Alfred Kissinger, a renowned diplomat and strategist known for his tenure as the Secretary of State and National Security Advisor during the presidency of Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Kissinger played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. foreign policy at a critical time. He played a leading role in opening relations with China and in shaping foreign policy which utilised a détente approach towards the Soviet Union. During the Cold War era, he was an integral negotiator in the Paris Peace Accords, which aimed to end the Vietnam War. His efforts earned him a Nobel Peace Priz
China Coup: The Great Leap to Freedom: Author: Roger Garside
No full textUniversity of California Press (2021), ISBN: 978-0520380974, 256 pp.,
 
The Salience of Air Power in Accelerating Land Operations Across Various Terrains
Full text linkIndia’s persistent continental threat has ensured that employment of force through the medium of air has not only remained vital, but has become increasingly definitive in military strategy and outcomes. An analysis of the air power roles undertaken by the IAF towards the land campaigns in all the wars brings out one fact clearly. That is, along with the land operations of the Indian Army which have been fought in diverse geographical terrains, the IAF too has fought alongside in each of them, in a wide variety of roles. Each terrain type presents unique operational advantages and challenges for both land and air warfare, and also provides synergistic employment opportunities, tailored to the adversary-specific warfighting requirements. The IAF has immense capabilities critical in accelerating land operations in all terrains, provided it is synergised at every level from planning to execution
Adapting Quickly to Emerging Forms of Warfare in the Indian Context
Full text linkThe military-strategic community is awash with former practitioners, strategic thinkers, and policymakers whose job it is to look at future trends in warfare, influenced as they are by the seductive pull of the latest technological game-changer. In this cacophony of ideas and contestable claims, new means of waging war, for mostly the same old reasons, are discernible and can be grasped by strategic audiences who then look at the specific context in which some of these very ideas could fructify into doable strategic effort for a nation’s overall wellbeing. This paper has tried to view the Indian strategic context without delving into too many specific recommendations for change in our policies, other than to crystallise them, or new structures in the military organisation as it exists. Instead, it tries to view this context through a wide-angle lens, searching for the pros and cons of change in the Sub-continental strategic-military future, and how our top leadership and military commanders could be better prepared, mentally as well as in material capabilities, for a war of the future
Note from the Editor
Full text linkThis edition of the CLAWS Journal, Winter 2023, is dedicated to the memory of Late Brigadier Narender Kumar, SM, VSM (Retd), a recipient of the CLAWS Scholar Warrior award of 2021 and a Visiting Fellow at CLAWS. His contribution to CLAWS was immense and distinctive and shall forever be remembered. This edition carries eleven articles on the overarching theme of defence and national security, with contributions from strategic experts and practitioners in the field. These articles give our readers a balanced and researched view of issues related to India’s strategic interests, geopolitical developments in our neighbourhood, and measures for developing comprehensive national power and defence capability development.  
Smart Maritime Power for India’s Integrated Military
Full text linkThe importance of maritime power as the determinant of global power needs no emphasis. India is a maritime nation with its futureinextricably linked to the sea. However, due to a continental-centric approach to national security, the maritime domain has not got itsdue attention. With the maritime orientation of the Indo-Pacific and the likely great power contestation in these waters, India’s maritime power will have a critical role to play in shaping the outcome on land. Technology will have a large role to play across the entire spectrum of conflict, both, in the maritime domain as well as on land; militaries will have to adapt these as effective force multipliers both in planning and prosecuting the conflict. The integration of the country’s maritime power in the country’s security matrix will be a prerequisite to shape the future contours of the region