Air Marshal Anil Khosla (Retd)
Air Marshal Anil Khosla PVSM, AVSM, VM, is a former Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force and AOC in C of Eastern Air Command. He was actively involved in the formulation of Air Force War Plans, Force structure planning and capability building as well as handled important air operations in recent times. The Air Marshal is a distinguished fellow at United Services Institute (USI) and Centre of Air Power Studies (CAPS). He is on the editorial board of the College of Air Warfare journal and CAPS journal (Blue Yonder) and worked with several think tanks and organisations. His academic work also includes written papers (on air power, geopolitics and security issues), conduct of Strategic Exercises, book reviews, mentoring and motivational talks.
Articles Lists
ANTARIKSHA ABHYAS 2024: A NEW ERA FOR INDIA’S SPACE SECURITY
India conducted its first comprehensive space defence exercise, “Antariksha Abhyas 2024”, from November 11 to 13, 2024. It was spearheaded by the Defence Space Agency (DSA) and sought to simulate and tackle the evolving threats posed to space-based assets critical for national security. The exer
LEARNING FROM ISRAELI DEFENCE FORCES (PART II: Notable Operations Conducted by the Israeli Defence Forces)
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has conducted numerous military operations since its establishment in 1948. Given Israel's complex security environment, these operations combine defensive actions, counterterrorism efforts, and strategic pre-emptive strikes to maintain security. These operations are
LEARNING FROM ISRAELI DEFENCE FORCES (PART I: Israeli Defence Forces)
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF), also known in Hebrew as Tzahal, are the military forces of the State of Israel. Tzahal, which stands for Tzva HaHagana LeYisrael, is the Hebrew acronym for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). It translates literally to the "Army of Defence for Israel. Tzahal is deeply i
APACHE HELICOPTER DELIVERY DELAY: BROADER ISSUE OF TRUST QUOTIENT
The Boeing AH-64 Apache is an American twin-turbo shaft attack helicopter with a tail wheel-type landing gear and a tandem cockpit for a crew of two. Nose-mounted sensors help acquire targets and provide night vision. It carries a 30 mm (1.18 in) M230 chain gun under its forward fuselage and four ha
EXERCISE TARANG SHAKTI: INTRICACIES OF MULTI-NATIONAL MILITARY EXERCISES
India’s largest international air exercise, Exercise Tarang Shakti 2024, is in progress. Phase I at Sulur Airbase has been completed, and phase II is now underway. Military exercises are an important part of military cooperation and defence diplomacy. Worldwide, about 100-plus military exercises a
RACE AND HUNT FOR MEDIUM TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT
The air transport fleet of any Air Force contributes to the air power attributes of speed, reach, flexibility, and responsiveness. Besides speedy induction and sustenance of forces, it is used for rescue missions. The air transport platforms are also utilised in force multiplier roles like air-to-ai
PRACHAND: THE HIMALAYAN GRIFFIN
In mid-June, news channels and strategic community circles were abuzz with the news that the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, had issued an RFP for the procurement of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (90 for the Indian Army and 66 for the Indian Air Force). LCH is the first indigenous Multi-Rol
COUNTERING HYPERSONIC WEAPON THREAT: A DIFFICULT BUT MANAGEABLE PROBLEM
Introduction Decades ago, ballistic missile defence was developed to intercept predictable targets outside the atmosphere. Since then, the missile threat spectrum has broadened, becoming more endo-atmospheric and manoeuvrable. Hypersonic weapons, a new breed of threat, combine the speed and range
CHANGING DYNAMICS OF AIR DEFENCE OPERATIONS AND THE WAY AHEAD
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, during the Air Force Commanders' Conference in New Delhi on October 26, 2023, pointed out that new trends have emerged in the field of air warfare, and there is a need to analyse and learn from them to strengthen defence preparedness. He urged the IAF to focus on st
MANY SUITORS FOR STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT DJIBOUTI
Djibouti is a small country in the Horn of Africa located on the southwest shores of the Gulf of Aden. It is adjacent to the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait (a mere 18 miles wide at its narrowest point) the gateway to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Djibouti is sparsely populated with a rocky landscape
SPEED RACE: HYPERSONIC WEAPONS
Hypersonic projectiles and platforms are emerging as a highly valued weapon system for militaries, the world over, due to their unique combination of attributes. The characteristics of hypersonic missiles include sustained high speed (five times the speed of sound), increased manoeuvrability, and Hi
RUSSIA ENTICING INDIA WITH SU-75 CHECKMATE
The Sukhoi SU-75 Checkmate, also designated as the Light Tactical Aircraft is a single-engine, stealth fighter aircraft under development by Sukhoi. The Sukhoi Design Bureau has also designated the aircraft as T-75. The aircraft is a derivative of the Russian SU-57 aircraft, being developed for expo
CHINESE GYRFALCON IN PAK SKIES
According to reports published in the media, General Zaheer Ahmed Babar, the Chief of Staff of the Pakistan Air Force, has disclosed the recent acquisition plans of the Pakistan Air Force. He has said, “The groundwork has already been laid for the acquisition of the J-31 Stealth fighter aircraft,
INDIA’s PREPAREDNESS FOR DRONE WARFARE
Drone is an umbrella term used to refer to an aircraft that is operated without a human pilot on board. Drones can be remotely controlled by human operators or can fly autonomously based on pre-programmed instructions or a combination of both. These devices can vary widely in size, design, and funct
C 295 AIRCRAFT INDUCTION INTO IAF: CAPABILITY ENHANCEMENT AND ADVANTAGES
The Indian Air Force (IAF) on 13 Sep 23 took the delivery of its first C-295 transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space, at Seville in Spain. The aircraft is the first of the 56 such planes ordered by the IAF under a ₹21,935-crore project to replace its aging Avro fleet. The aircraft is expe
PM Modi’s Visit To USA: Deal Or No Deal For Fighter Aircraft And Aero-Engines?
“Both sides will identify opportunities for co-development of new technologies and co-production of existing and new systems and facilitate increased collaboration between defence start-up ecosystems of the two countries.” Statement by the Indian defence ministry, post meeting between visiting
Understanding Manipur Dynamics
Manipur was merged fully with the Indian Union on October 15, 1949, but it became a full-fledged state more than two decades later, in 1972. Manipur is known for its ethnic and cultural diversity. But the state has been plagued by internecine conflicts among different ethnic groups and tribes. Th
IAF’s Fighter Squadron Drawdown And The Mitigation Plan
“While, IAF has plans to steadily induct locally made fighter jets like Tejas Mk1, Mk2, and AMCA, the need for 114 jets under Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) will remain, due to planned retirement of fighter fleet types like Jaguar, Mirage-2000, and Mig-29 in next few years”. IAF Chief Air C
One Year Into The Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Many Questions And Few Lessons
“We will not fight a war against Russia in Ukraine. Direct conflict between NATO and Russia is World War III, something we must strive to prevent.” President Joe Biden Russia – Ukraine war has entered its second year, with no end in sight. The war has brought into focus numerous issues relat
Decoding US Presence At Aero India 2023: Business Or Signalling
Introduction The 14th edition of the five-day Aero India 2023, the biggest air show in Asia concluded on February 17, 2023. The grand event showcased the strides India is making in the field of defence and aerospace and also provided business opportunities to the agencies from various countries a