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Network-Centric Operations : A Pre-Requisite for High-Tempo Operations and Synergy
No full textIn an era defined by rapid technological advancements and information proliferation, Network-Centric Operations (NCOs) emerge as a crucial paradigm for modern warfare. The NCO refers to a strategic approach that leverages information sharing, real-time communication, and collaborative decision-making to enhance operational effectiveness.
From the early days of the telegraph and radio to the present-day interconnected digital networks, the evolution of the NCo has been a response to the growing need for efficient command and control mechanisms. The NCO’s roots can be traced back to the recognition that information superiority directly translates into operational advantage. These technologies allowed commanders to gain real-time situational awareness and make informed decisions on the battlefield. With the advent of satellite communications, data links, and advanced sensor systems, NCOs evolved into a comprehensive concept that transcends traditional boundaries
Chip Wars: The Struggle for Semiconductors Supremacy
No full textThe Global Financial Crisis (GFC) between 2007 and 2009 led to a sharp decline in economic activity, plummeting output, and increasing unemployment. The crisis did not spare the world’s only superpower, the USA, which was reeling under an economic setback brought about by the GFC and worsened by its burgeoning defence expenditure due to the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. China, which had benefited from globalisation and had impressive economic growth, pumped billions of dollars into its domestic economy to prevent the fallout of the GFC. Sensing the preoccupation of the USA and Europe in the multiple crises, China slowly but surely started becoming more aggressive, giving wings to its expansionist dreams. Using a potent mix of inducement, cooperation and coercion, China’s footprints in global affairs were on the upswing. Its uncontested actions in militarising the South China Sea (SCS) emboldened it to simultaneously augment its non-kinetic war against the West by using stolen technology and hugecapital to strike at its technological underbelly. Chinese telecom companies such as Huawei and ZTE expanded their global reach and secured access to critical telecom networks. In doing so, they installed backdoors that enabled it to spy and gather data. However, it took some time for the USA to initiate action. In 2012, a US House of Representatives committee launched an investigation that concluded that Huawei had broken American laws and was either unable or unwilling to explain its ties to the Chinese government. The report recommended not using Huawei systems in any government or contractor network. 1 At this stage, the world at large was dithering and, in many cases, even opposed to acting against Chinese telecom companies. This inaction enabled China to embark upon its mission to be the world’s technology leader, thereby paving the path towards global supremacy
Editor\u27s Note
No full textThis edition of the Air Power Journal features a myriad of articles ranging from the use of technology, water, and artificial intelligence in warfare to the importance of MRO for national air power and the influence of strategic culture on the nuclear strategy of China. I hope the readers will enjoy the last edition of the Journal in 2024. Here’s wishing you all a Happy New Year and Happy Reading. 
Use of Artificial Intelligence for Improving Operational Efficiency in the Armed Forces
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Many countries have declared their national Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategies after they recognised its potentials. Most advanced countries are investing in AI research and Development (R&D). The United States (US) and China stand out as the front-runners in this technological race, each with distinct strategic objectives. The US aims to retain its dominant position in AI, emphasising its leadership in innovation and military applications. China, on the other hand, has articulated an ambitious goal to surpass the US and become the global leader in AI by 2030.AI’s amalgamation into drone operations and its role in supporting human decision-making in conflicts are indeed changing the dynamics and ethics of warfare. In the context of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, AI is being utilised by both sides, with Ukraine particularly leveraging AI to gain an asymmetric advantage.
The Indian government started its ambitious defence task for the incorporation of AI to improve the operational ability of the Indian armed forces to prepare the defence and security forces for next-generation warfare. The task force was set up by the Department of Defence Production (DDP), which was led by the chairman of Tata Sons. The task force also included senior officers from the Indian armed forces, the national cyber security coordinator, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) professors, and representatives from the Indian Space research Organisation (ISRO). As per the recommendation of the task force, the Defence Artificial Intelligence Council (DAIC) is to guide and provide structural support. Additionally, the Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA) has been formed to enable AI-based processes in defence organisation
MRO: The Elephant in the Room of Air Power
No full textAerospace power is a derivative as also an indicator of national power. The ability of a nation to use all aerospace power resources at its disposal determines its aerospace power capabilities. Aerospace power, hence, is the sum of a nation’s aerospace capabilities, as is expounded in the Doctrine of the Indian Air Force (IAF) 2020-22.1 For the application of air power, its platforms have to be available in the desired numbers, at the right time, with force levels availability sustained over a period.
While discussing the combat restorative measures in the chapter on air strategy, in the domain of the Indian Air Force, the issue of techno-logistics has been elucidated as Aerospace power must be underpinned by sound and round-the-clock techno-logistics to ensure the highest serviceability and availability of aircraft and equipment during operations. efficient and resilient techno-logistics ensures high sortie generation rates, shortest mission turnaround time, accelerated repairs and servicing, weapon readiness and distribution and recovery of damaged aircraft/equipment
Space Domain Exploitation: Strategic and Doctrinal Imperatives
No full textThe Indian space programme reached a crucial milestone when the Vikram moon Lander achieved a soft touchdown close to the south Pole of the moon. This feat of a soft landing on the moon has been achieved by only three other countries in the past. The erstwhile UssR was the first nation to achieve a soft landing on the moon in 1966. It was, however, the UsA that achieved the maiden feat of landing humans on the moon in 1969. China achieved a soft landing on the moon with its spacecraft in 2013 and followed it with two more successful attempts, including one on the dark side of the moon. However, one cannot fail to notice the long gap between the first two feats achieved by the US and the US and then later by China and India. The quest for space, or the pace of it, often termed as the “space race”, was different during the 1950s through the 1970s. Back then, the two sole superpowers, the USSR, and the US, were frantically trying to outsmart each other in the space domain. It may be recalled that it was also an era when computing and electronics technologies were in a nascent stage, and despite the technological challenges, remarkable feats were achieved in space-faring. The fierce competition of the Cold War diverted huge sums in these nations into research and development in space. It was not easy as the missions had to face multiple failures. The soviet Luna series faced at least 10 failures before achieving a successful soft landing. Similar was the success rate of the US-led Ranger probes, which failed 13 times before tasting success
Australia’s Rare Earth Highway: A Race to Resilience or Dominance?
No full textThe anticipated global demand for rare earth elements (REEs) is projected to reach 315,000 tonnes by the year 2030, which can be mostly attributed to the worldwide transition towards clean technology, including electric vehicles, wind power, and solar power. The expanding demand, and the increasing control of China over the REE supply chain have prompted the formation of collaborative resilience initiatives at both bilateral and global levels.A secure rare earth supply chain requires resilience in three main components: upstream (extraction and separation of rare earth oxide); midstream (processing of rare earth metals and alloys); and downstream (manufacturing of permanent magnets and end-products). It is noteworthy that China dominates in all the components; thus, a robust and dependable network of countries with thriving economies is required to maintain resilience within the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks. Although the capacities of the upstream and midstream sectors have witnessed expansion in most countries, downstream capacities are still underdeveloped, which makes it imperative to foster collaboration. Within these resilience initiatives, Australia is well-positioned to fill the gap for advancing downstream capacities outside China, considering its abundant resource endowment, strong mining capacity, and well-established processing infrastructure
Editor\u27s Note
No full textIt gives me immense pleasure to share my thoughts and vision with my readers as i pen down my first editor’s note for Defence andDiplomacy (D&D) as Director General, Centre for Air Power studies (CAPs).
The indian Air Force (iAF) took a leap of faith to encourage critical thinking on aerospace power, national security and strategy,international theory, leadership, contemporary and irregular warfare amongst its officers. towards this endeavour, a flagship courseacronymed WAsP or Warfare and Aerospace strategy Programme was started at the College of Air Warfare in 2022. this fifteen-weekprogramme that involves intensive daily reading of 250-300 pages, seminar discussions and written essays culminating in a capstoneseminar is now being run concurrently at CAPs from this year. there exists a need to separate training from Professional Military Education (PME) and this programme aims to bridge this gap. 
Editor\u27s Note
No full textThis issue of Air Power Journal (APJ) looks at many contemporary issues. Swarm drones have been having increasing employability in both offensive and defensive operations. They can do multiple tasks in the same mission, from decoy, suppression of enemy Air defence (SEAD), attacks on surface and aerial targets, electronic warfare support, act as communications relays, and do battle damage assessment, among others. When combined with manned systems in teaming mode, they could have phenomenal combat powe
Space Traffic Management: An Inescapable Necessity
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The vast expanse of space, once considered infinite, is now witnessing an unprecedented surge in activity, propelling humanity into a new era of exploration and technological advancement. This surge, marked by a growing number of satellites, space missions, and debris orbiting the earth, has underscored the critical importance of effective space Traffic Management (STM). As space utilisation has significantly increased over the years, STM has become a crucial aspect involving the coordination and monitoring of objects in the earth’s orbit to ensure safe and sustainable space use.
Tracing the historical trajectory of space activities reveals a transformation from a race to the stars to a complex network of satellites serving various purposes. In the present day, the earth’s orbit is bustling with activity, with satellites reaching an all-time high due to technological accessibility, commercial interests and military deterrence. However, this surge poses multifaceted risks, including collisions, jeopardising operational satellites and contributing to the growing menace of space debris.
At the core of effective STM is space situational awareness (SSA), which involves the continuous monitoring and tracking of space objects to predict and prevent collisions. Advanced ssa technologies enhance the understanding of the space environment and enable timely manoeuvres to avoid potential threats. Despite existing international and national regulations providing a foundation for responsible space activities, challenges persist in their implementation and enforcement, highlighting the need for a dynamic regulatory framework as space activities evolve.
Technological solutions play a pivotal role in pursuing effective STM, with advanced tracking technologies and autonomous collision avoidance systems on the horizon. As humanity ventures further into space, responsible space use and safeguarding the orbital environment become prerequisites for a sustainable and prosperous future. The resounding call to action is to unite in navigating celestial highways responsibly, ensuring that the inescapable necessity of STM is met with diligence and foresight. This article explores various nuances of SSA and STM, looking towards the future