Full Spectrum : India’s Wars (1972-2020) – Book Review

The book Full spectrum: India’s Wars (1972-2020) is the second part of the sequel/series of Full spectrum which is authored by Air Vice Marshal Arjun Subramanian (Retd). AVM Arjun Subramanian is a former fighter pilot of the sky warriors IAF.

AVM Arjun Subramaniam has covered all the important operations undertaken by the Indian Armed Forces since the 1971 war. The former air warrior has beautifully explained complex concepts like hybrid war, proxy war in very easy terms which can be understood even by those who are from a non military background.  AVM Arjun Subramanian has also covered the rise of Indian Armed Forces through the years and he has not shied away from crediting legends like General Sundarji who have helped in the further development of the Indian Armed Forces.

He has only covered operations of Indian Armed Forces and not that of valiant units like CRPF, Assam Rifles, BSF or intelligence agencies, although he does mention them. Their contribution cannot be ignored in maintaining India’s sovereignty.

The book is an interesting strategic account of different daredevil operations carried out by Indian Armed Forces like Operation Blue star in Punjab, Operation Falcon of 1980’s at Arunachal Pradesh border and many more. Geographically AVM Arjun Subramaniam has tried his best to cover different areas of conflict like:
• Mizoram
• Nagaland
• Punjab
• Sri Lanka
• Kashmir
• Ladakh
• Maldives
• Arunachal Pradesh
• UN Peacekeeping operations , special emphasis has been given on Korea, Operation Khukri in Sierra Leone, Somalia and DRC.

AVM Arjun Subramaniam has explained operations in a lot of detail right from the main characters involved to the weapons used to the loopholes in the policy. For example : In chapter 11 which deals with Operation Pawan, information such as it was led by General Harkirat Singh and the regiments deployed in Sri Lanka have been given. In order to help the viewers visualize the scenario, maps and images have also been provided due to which a common person can easily comprehend the situation.

AVM Arjun Subramanian has done a “measured” criticism of the policies where India could have easily capitalized on the gains that were received in the beginning. For example : In the same part where IPKF work in Sri Lanka is mentioned it is categorically mentioned about the technical flaws in ISLA which was later exploited by LTTE.

He has highlighted the valour of armed forces in each and every chapter he has written. The best part where he has captured the valour of our brave jawans is in the chapter of Operation Vijay where Indian Armed Forces showed exceptional bravery to win the Kargil conflict which occurred in 1999.

Full Spectrum: India’s Wars 1971-2020 also exposes the role of India’s western adversary Pakistan in fueling separatism in Jammu-Kashmir and Punjab. It also highlights the role of autocratic China in Nagaland. AVM Arjun Subramaniam has repeatedly stressed for the need of greater synergy between Armed forces. In fact the need of synergy is the central theme of the book, the best example according to me where Indian Armed forces showed great synergy was in “Operation Cactus” which was executed in Maldives.

Overall the book has been really well articulated, well explained in lucid language for the readers. This book has been reviewed by many prominent personalities in the past, including  CDS General Bipin Rawat, Shri Nitin Gokhale. It is a must read for all students of history, political science and for those citizens who are interested in warfare and military studies.

My takeaway after reading the entire book is about how the Indian Armed forces have remodeled, redeveloped and redefined their strategies from time to time. There is always scope for improvement which needs to be addressed quickly by the nation collectively in view of the new types of warfare which are evolving in the world. India should also focus on the economic, military, cultural, legal and political renaissance which is of prime importance if it wants to become the “Vishwaguru in true sense”.