SOUTH ASIA DEFENCE & STRATEGIC REVIEW
South Asia Defence & Strategic Review is a bi-monthly magazine focussing on issues related to Geostrategy, Military Technology, Defence and Strategic Affairs and their impact on South Asian Region. The aim of the magazine is to help shape policies and spread awareness amongst our readers on such matters in the region.
Started in March 2007, the magazine provides a 360-degree view of the latest developments and key issues in the defence and security domain. Over the years the magazine has carved out a large subscriber base in the Indian Subcontinent and rest of the world. The readership is amongst the uniformed communities, Ministries of Defence and External Affairs, think tanks, military analysts, educational and training institutions.
Our contributors include luminaries in the field of defence & strategy with military experts forming the core of our editorial team.
Vol 18 Issue 4 Sep – Oct 2024
Cover Story:
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Editorial
Col Ashwani Sharma (Retd)
Our cover story was initially focussed on Israel's surprise actions in the conflict zone, which included the use of exploding pagers, walkie... Read MoreGeostrategy
16Bangladesh Crisis: Sheikh Hasina’s Ouster and Rising Radicalism
An event with far reaching consequences for the region as it took every stakeholder by surprise
20Indo -Bangladesh Relations Amidst Political Shifts and Social Media Strife – Will Strategic Patience be a Positive Approach
Lt Gen Ata Hasnain advises strategic restraint on part of India as Bangladesh slowly settles down and comes to face real issues
24When Ideology Leads to Irrationality
Iran’s ideological aspirations vis a vis its actual capabilities highlight the irrationality of its continued pursuit of policies aimed at confronting and destroying Israel.
39China’s Air Intrusion of Taiwan: Analysis and Implications for India
PLA Airforce’ repeated intrusions into Taiwanese airspace has lessons for the Indian forces as well
44NATO’s Strategic Pivot to the Indo-Pacific: Strengthening Alliances and Expanding Deterrence with the AP4
Countries in the Asia - Pacific which support NATO form its strategic pivot
56Weathering The Storm: India’s Strategic use of automatic weather wtations (Aws) in Arunachal Pradesh
It is a brilliant move by India to place its weather stations along the border- a step forward in asserting its own rights
Military Affairs
26The Game-Changing Pager Blasts: A New Era of Warfare ?
As the pager blasts shook everyone across the globe, we take a look at the events that followed and analyse the impact of such innovative methods on the battlefield
36Media Brief: Chief of the Air Staff
As Air Chief Marshal AP Singh took over as the new Chief of the IAF
48Aligning Defence Acquisitions to Drive Self Reliance
Policy changes that are needed to nudge the country towards self-reliance in defence
58Defence Reforms An Overview – Status and Way Ahead
Recalling the chain of events in this journey and a status check of where we stand on military acquisition reforms
Military Technology
11Armoured Vehicles: Setting up an Industrial Base in India
A brief on the proceedings of the roundtable discussion on Armoured Vehicles in India held at CLAWS
32Cybersecurity in Space and the Challenges of International Regulation
Cyber threat to satellites in space is for real and it is time to have laws to ensure that uninterrupted service goes on
54East Tech Symposium 2024: Creating a Synergy for Defence Manufacturing and Innovation
Curtain raiser of East Tech to be organized by SIDM and HQ Eastern Command in Nov 2024
Regular Features
14Paralympics: A Triumph of the Human Spirit
A tribute to the superhuman para-athletes and their indomitable spirit
61Black Day: The 1947 Pakistani Invasion of Jammu & Kashmir and Its Brutal Legacy
When the Pakistan Army and its lashkars launched a treacherous attack on India with the aim of loot, plunder and mass murder of innocents, and capture Indian territory
66Lieutenant General Krishnaswami Gowri Shankar: A Forgotten Hero
A tribute to Lt Gen Gowri Shankar, a gallantry award winner
Interviews
Contributors
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LT GEN SYED ATA HASNAIN
PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM & BAR (Retd)
is an eminent writer and speaker. He is a Distinguished Fellow of Vivekananda Foundation. The General is a former Military Secretary and GOC of two of India’s most important Corps. -
LT GEN JP SINGH
PVSM, AVSM (Retd)
former Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (P&S) is presently a Senior Advisor with DRDO. A cavalry officer, JP is one of the few who understand users’ requirements, state of R&D and the entire industrial landscape in India.
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VICE ADMIRAL PRADEEP CHAUHAN
AVSM**, VSM, IN (Retd)
was the Navy’s first Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Foreign Cooperation and Intelligence) and later, Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command. A prolific writer, he retired as the Commandant, Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala. -
LT GEN VINOD BHATIA
PVSM, AVSM, SM (Retd)
is Director, Centre for Joint Warfare Studies. He is the former DG Infantry and DG Military Operations
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LT GEN ARUN SAHNI
PVSM, UYSM, SM, VSM
is a former GOC in C of the South Western Command who served the Indian Army with great distinction. A renowned speaker on contemporary issues, General Sahni is an Artillery officer who played a leading role in modernisation of Indian Artillery. -
AIR MARSHAL ANIL CHOPRA
PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM (Retd),
is a pioneer of the Mirage 2000 fleet. He commanded two operational bases and the IAF’s Flight Test Centre ASTE. He is a former member of AFT Lucknow.
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LT GEN SHOKIN CHAUHAN
PVSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM (Retd)
had an illustrious career in the army. He commanded the prestigious 1 Corps and was the DG Assam Rifles. -
LT GEN AB SHIVANE
PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd)
had a very distinguished career in the Indian Army. He commanded 1 Corps and retired as the DG Mechanised Forces. He is a Senior Advisor to OFB.
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DR VIJAY SAKHUJA
is an expert on maritime affairs and is a former Director, National Maritime Foundation, New Delhi.
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LT GEN NB SINGH
VSM, (Retd)
former DG EME is presently a member of Armed Forces Tribunal, Jabalpur
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LT GEN B S PAWAR (RETD)
is a former ADG Army Aviation and Commandant, School of Artillery.
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LT GEN (DR) V K SAXENA
PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd)
is the former Director General of Army Air Defence
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LT GEN BALBIR SINGH SANDHU (RETD)
is a former DGST and writes frequently on military affairs
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MAJ GEN VINOD SAIGHAL (RETD)
is the Executive Director of Eco Monitors Society.
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Maj Gen Harvijay Singh (Retd)
Maj Gen Harvijay Singh, SM was the Additional Director General in Signals Directorate at the Army HQ. He is a prolific writer.
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COL MICHAEL PADGETT (RETD)
is a former AD, Ordnance and Acquisition Corps officer of the US Army.
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AJAY SINGH
is an expert on security matters and has authored three books and over 170 articles for various journals. He writes and speaks extensively on geo-politics and contemporary warfare.
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BRIG ARVIND THAKUR
a retired Cavalry Officer of the Indian Army is a graduate of the US Army War College.
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Brig P Binuraj
is a retired Gunner Officer who was Director Operations in Artillery Directorate and commanded an Artillery Brigade. He is an alumni of College of Defence Management and Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.