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 17 Issue 5 Nov – Dec 2023
Cover Story:
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Editorial

Col Ashwani Sharma (Retd)
Hamas’ surprise attack on October 7th caught the nation, its political leadership, and the military off guard. As expected, it sent shockw... Read MoreGeostrategy
11India@100: Celebrating Maritime Heritage and Economic Vision
A peep into India’s Maritime heritage and strategy, and its relevance in present times
14Crossroads of Faith and history: The Ancient Narrative of Israel and Palestine
Whose land is it anyways – a quick peep into history
18The War of Independence: 1948
The first Arab-Israel war; the very day Israel was created
19The Six Day War
Israel’s offensive action deep into Sinai and across the Suez as it felt threatened
20The Yom Kippur War
Surprise multipronged attack and Israel’s determined push back
22Surprise on Simchat Torah: How Hamas’ Strategic Planning Led to an Unprecedented Assault” and Israel’s Iron Response
A detailed fact check and military analysis of the Israel Hamas conflict
27Israel-Hamas Conflict: Navigating Unprecedented Times; India’s Stance
As the conflict demanded delicate diplomacy, India’s stance remains a balanced one
31Will The Wars in the Middle East and Ukraine Distract The Us from The Indo Pacific
With its increasing engagement with Ukraine and West Asia, does the US have adequate bandwidth to keep an eye on the Indo- Pacific
58Endgame in Ukraine
The present snailmate and the various possibilities
Military Affairs
40INTERVIEW : AIR CHIEF MARSHAL VR CHAUDHARI, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC
A freewheeling QA session with the Chief of Air Sta
43Mianwali Attack – Vulnerabilities of an Airbase – Lessons for IAF
Terrorist attack on Mianwali airbase highlights vulnerability of sensitive, high value targets
53Strategic Readiness: Incubating Military Effectiveness
Conflicts around the globe reignite the debate for military preparedness
62Challenges and Efforts Towards Self-Reliance in India’s Defence Sector
A clinical assessment of the current state of self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) in defenc
Military Technology
35IAF’s New Era: C-295MW Fleet to Replace the Vintage AVRO
A modern aircraft replaces a legend
47Digital Forensics in Safeguarding National Security
Pointers on the increasing significance of Digital forensics in national security
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.
