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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.

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CURRENT ISSUE



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 More

Geostrategy

11

India@100: Celebrating Maritime Heritage and Economic Vision

A peep into India’s Maritime heritage and strategy, and its relevance in present times

14

Crossroads of Faith and history: The Ancient Narrative of Israel and Palestine

Whose land is it anyways – a quick peep into history

18

The War of Independence: 1948

The first Arab-Israel war; the very day Israel was created

19

The Six Day War

Israel’s offensive action deep into Sinai and across the Suez as it felt threatened

20

The Yom Kippur War

Surprise multipronged attack and Israel’s determined push back

22

Surprise 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

27

Israel-Hamas Conflict: Navigating Unprecedented Times; India’s Stance

As the conflict demanded delicate diplomacy, India’s stance remains a balanced one

31

Will 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

58

Endgame in Ukraine

The present snailmate and the various possibilities

Military Affairs

40

INTERVIEW : AIR CHIEF MARSHAL VR CHAUDHARI, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC

A freewheeling QA session with the Chief of Air Sta

43

Mianwali Attack – Vulnerabilities of an Airbase – Lessons for IAF

Terrorist attack on Mianwali airbase highlights vulnerability of sensitive, high value targets

53

Strategic Readiness: Incubating Military Effectiveness

Conflicts around the globe reignite the debate for military preparedness

62

Challenges 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

35

IAF’s New Era: C-295MW Fleet to Replace the Vintage AVRO

A modern aircraft replaces a legend

47

Digital Forensics in Safeguarding National Security

Pointers on the increasing significance of Digital forensics in national security

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.