The Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) moves on the wheels of Technology, Doctrine and Organisation; however, the main support structure, which gives it the predominant strength, is undoubtedly the technology. The changing concepts of warfare are driven by the available technology of the times. While sophisticated weapons and sensors have greatly enhanced combat efficiency, developments in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have enabled greater connectivity and information sharing among widely spread force components.

• Shitanshu Mishra
• October 2003
• Strategic Analysis

Military innovation is peculiar and distinctive, and has no direct parallels. The military environment itself, with focus on hierachy, discipline and tradition makes innovation a daunting challenge. The process is further influenced by civil-military relations and metrics used for measuring effectiveness of innovative efforts. Factors influencing the process of military innovation vary when examining innovation at the policy and strategy level, at the doctrinal level, during peacetime and under conditions of war.

• Girish Luthar
• October 2003
• Strategic Analysis

The paper examines the utilisation of air power in the 1962 India-China war and in the 1999 Kargil conflict. The study reveals a certain continuity in the attitudes to the use of offensive air power in limited conflicts. Both in 1962 and in 1999, the use of air power was hedged about with various restrictions. Underlying these appears to be the belief that the use of offensive air power is fundamentally escalatory. Hence there is a hesitation to commit offensive air power assets.

• R. Sukumaran
• July 2003
• Strategic Analysis

Military diplomacy has long been one of the essential constituents of international diplomacy and an effective methodology, to foster bilateral and regional relationships. Military training cooperation is an essential component of military diplomacy and helps to build close ties with other nations. Such cooperation also helps to strengthen strategic security relationships and address common security concerns. The Indian armed forces have rich expertise of operating in varied terrain, as also live combat experience in a vast spectrum of operations.

• B. S. Sachar
• July 2003
• Strategic Analysis

Guerrilla warfare is not a new phenomenon and history is witness to its repeated occurrence. In the modern era, it acquired prominence during the Napoleonic Wars which led to an examination of its role by leading nineteenth-century thinkers including Clausewitz, Jomini, Marx and Engels. Over the course of the subsequent century, the concept and practice of guerrilla warfare was integrated within social, economic and political programmes that aimed to overthrow established authority and transform society through an armed struggle.

• S. Kalyanaraman
• April 2003
• Strategic Analysis

The official position of USA and Nigeria in favour of military cooperation rather than a military pact does not necessarily demean its value in defence and strategic thinking. The withdrawal of military assistance to Nigeria on March 23, 2003 should be seen as a strong protest against Nigerian reservations on the US-led war on Iraq rather than a complete end to it.

• Aja Akpuru-Aja
• April 2003
• Strategic Analysis

It is time that the constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic are converted into an opportunity to upgrade and evolve the present method of human interaction prevalent in think tanks across the world.

• Vivek Chadha
• May 04, 2020
• Issue Brief

Smaller, smarter, potent and cheaper combat entities — linked and networked – will be at the heart of future warfare.

• Atul Pant
• April 27, 2020
• Issue Brief

Draft DPP 2020 needs to cut out obfuscation, repetitions, and bring out core issues for the consideration of the decision-makers in a concise and clear manner.

• Kishore Kumar Khera
• April 17, 2020
• IDSA Comments

The lack of international cooperation and trust deficit to tackle the COVID-19 crisis is stark. The pandemic of fear may deepen an ongoing shift towards increased anarchy reflected in ‘everyone for himself’ and could further energise the process of weakening international institutions and agreements.

• Prakash Menon
• April 17, 2020
• IDSA Comments

The large scale social and economic disruption caused by COVID-19 has brought to our attention the socio-economic plight of urban migrant workers and the need for a more effective information dissemination.

• Vivek Chadha
• April 13, 2020
• Issue Brief

The Indian Army is at the cusp of a huge change. It has to concurrently manage the matter of Women Officers as seamlessly as possible. Success in this venture is predicated squarely on the mindsets of the seniors in charge and the WO community

• Alok Deb
• February 19, 2020
• IDSA Comments

The adverse impact of lowering of colour service of soldiers below pensionable service will not only be felt at the structural and functional level but also the psychological level.

• Vivek Chadha
• February 14, 2020
• Issue Brief

The laser-based aerospace defence assets, as and when they are fully developed and deployed, could prove to be a potent deterrent.

• Atul Pant
• February 07, 2020
• IDSA Comments

The proposal to create an Air Defence Command is a bold move. Rather than resorting to less contentious issues to commence the integration process, the CDS has selected a very pertinent and significant operational issue. However, the way the proposed Air Defence Command is structured will be crucial as it will set the tone for further integration of all three services.

• Kishore Kumar Khera
• January 27, 2020
• Issue Brief

Considering the loss of tactical advantage that would come about by not adopting automation and autonomous weapon systems in future, militaries would invariably be obligated to adopt the concept of full automation while keeping humans on the loop.

• Atul Pant
• January 24, 2020
• IDSA Comments