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 19 Issue 4 Sep – Oct 2025
Cover Story:
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Editorial

Col Ashwani Sharma (Retd)
Nepal’s unrest began with a technical order on social-media registration, but it exposed wider anger over jobs, corruption and weak servic... Read MoreGeostrategy
17Rejigging Foreign Policy
How India has deftly manoeuvred through political, diplomatic and strategic developments at the global and regional stage
20Nepal
How a platform order lit a youth uprising, toppled a government, and reset South Asia’s border, energy, and digital equations
25Bangladesh: Many Voices, Many Faces, Many Outcomes
A well-researched feature on Bangladesh’s history and journey so far
49The 1965 war in Retrospect
531965 Air War
57Crossing the Ichhogil Canal at Dograi
60The Role of Indian Navy
64The Battle of Barki
671 Corps Offensive: The Battle of Phillora
70The Battle of Asal Uttar
Military Affairs
34The Defender’s Dilemma in Modern Warfare
The rise of deep tech on the battlefield creates unique challenges for defenders, who are increasingly bypassed rather than engaged
36DAP Revision: Shifting from process Centricity to Capability Centricity
Rewiring India’s defence acquisition: urgent tweaks and actionable recommendations
42RANSAMVAD 2025
Candid conversations on war, strategy, and the tech reshaping the battlespace
46China’s Military Parade
China’s Military Parade: Power on display and messages between the lines
Military Technology
12The New Era of Information Warfare
In today’s information-saturated world, narrative warfare and perception management are strategic imperatives
29Fighter Choices for the IAF
An incisive analysis of the challenges before India—and the options to sustain and modernise its combat-aircraft fleet
44MEMCO ASSOCIATES
From ISRO Supplier to Frontline Space, Defence Partner
Interviews
Contributors
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.
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
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.
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.
DR VIJAY SAKHUJA
is an expert on maritime affairs and is a former Director, National Maritime Foundation, New Delhi.
LT GEN NB SINGH
VSM, (Retd)
former DG EME is presently a member of Armed Forces Tribunal, Jabalpur
LT GEN B S PAWAR (RETD)
is a former ADG Army Aviation and Commandant, School of Artillery.
LT GEN (DR) V K SAXENA
PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd)
is the former Director General of Army Air Defence
LT GEN BALBIR SINGH SANDHU (RETD)
is a former DGST and writes frequently on military affairs
MAJ GEN VINOD SAIGHAL (RETD)
is the Executive Director of Eco Monitors Society.
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.
COL MICHAEL PADGETT (RETD)
is a former AD, Ordnance and Acquisition Corps officer of the US Army.
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.
BRIG ARVIND THAKUR
a retired Cavalry Officer of the Indian Army is a graduate of the US Army War College.
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.
