February 2019
Letter from the Editor | February 2019
This bumper issue is a special on Aero India 2019, the show where, as always, FORCE is media partner and will bring out daily specials on February 20, 21 and 22.
Cover Story
The Balancing Act ||February 2019
To get the best weapon systems as well as technology, India needs to choose wisely
Interesting Times Ahead
The challenge for the IAF has just begun as competition for the fighters gets underway
Staring at an Abyss
Lack of foresight leaves the IAF without enough combat aircraft squadron
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Delays Do No Good
The procurement of carrier-based fighters for the Indian Navy should be fast-tracked
Second Time Lucky
As the second iteration of MMRCA 2.0 contest takes off, the IAF cannot afford a delayed acquisition process
Future to be Unveiled
It’s HAL’s moment to make a mark with its Tejas and AMCA aircraft
Chinooks & Apaches On Their Way
Deliveries to start in March 2019 amid the tussle between the army and IAF over ownership of the Apaches
Makers of India’s Flying Machines
HAL has been at the forefront of meeting Indian armed forces need for helicopters
Report
Flights of Fancy
Despite challenges, the third round of UDAN announces connectivity for 235 routes and 69.30 lakh new seats to be added
From Strength to Strength ||February 2019
IAF exercises in 2018 involved many firsts
Robots are Coming
NAM 2019 discusses the role of AI in future battlefield
Of Promises and Controversy
The Army Chief shows an interest to engage with the Taliban during the annual press conference
Rider of the Storm
Recovering from his back injury, Naval Commander Abhilash Tomy is eager to return to the sea as soon as possible
By Invitation | Women Behind Weapons
How the BRAHMOS missiles are made
By Invitation | Futuristic Flight
GA’s SeaGuardian is a sturdy and reliable maritime version of MQ-9B SkyGuardian with exceptional ISR capabilities
By Invitation | A Reliable Partner
Air and space defence corporation ‘Almaz-Antey’ will present a wide range of military and civilian products at the 12th Aero India International Aerospace Exhibition 2019, which takes place in Bangalore on 20-24 February 2019
By Invitation | Block Chain
Indian Army will be getting the latest BRAHMOS Block III variant
By Invitation | More Firepower
Naval variant of BRAHMOS missile has successfully been integrated into the navy’s maritime assets
Indigenous Ingenuity
India will be well prepared for regional dominance in air-to-air combat with the Astra BVRAAM slated for induction this year
Books
Column
Bottomline | No More Lip Service
Future and new domains of warfare demand real jointmanship at all levels
First Person | Public Knowledge
With mere license production, we cannot attain the goal of self-reliance
Guest Column | More Power to Fire
Indian artillery will finally be modernised with the acquisition of 3,000 modern howitzers
Guest Column | Big Leap Forward
Self Reliance in defence manufacturing can be achieved by involving the private sector
Guest Column | Think and Act Ahead
Naval aviation should stay in tune with the future
Guest Column | The Right Direction
It is the military power or ‘stick’ which provides the leverage to influence the behaviour of adversaries
Guest Column | A Serious Concern || February 2019
The IAF faces a critical shortage of combat aircraft
Guest Column | Lethal Weapon
The induction of Apache AH in the Indian Army will provide teeth to its offensive content
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Guest Column | Forward Thinking
Time for all Infantry to have mechanised skills
Guest Column | Long Way to Go
Women in combat is not a practical idea
Interview
Interview | Director, FSMTC, Dmitry Shugaev
‘The Level of Privileged Strategic Partnership That Underlines Indo-Russian Diplomatic Relations Enables us to Develop Joint Research Even in Most Sensitive Fields of Knowledge’
Interview | Chief Executive Officer, Russian Helicopters, Andrey Boginsky
‘Not Less Than 140 of 200 Helicopters Shall Be Produced at The Facilities of the Joint Venture in India, Thereby Supporting the Make in India Initiative’
Interview | Acting managing director, Boeing Defence India and Vice President, India, Boeing Defence, Space and Security, Michael Koch
‘We have taken a dual approach of making equity and non-equity investments in support of Make in India. We partnered with TASL to establish a JV that is producing aerostructures in India, for the world’
EVP marketing and business development, Rafael, Giora Katz
We are Exhibiting TROPHY, the World’s Only Active Protection System for Armoured Vehicles, Combat-Proven with the Israeli Armoured Corps MBTs
Interview | Vice President and Country Head India, MBDA, Loïc Piedevache
‘Through L&T MBDA Missile Systems Ltd we are offering several key capabilities under the Make in India initiative, including products such as ATGM5’
Interview | President, PJSC United Aircraft Corporation, Yury Slyusar
‘The largest project under the Russian-Indian defence cooperation in aviation sector is shipment and licensed production of Su-30MKI, a multipurpose fighter jet’
Interview | Director of India Strategic Development for General Atomics, Pratesh Gandhi
‘India offers exciting business possibilities for GA and its affiliated companies’
Interview | Vice President, customer & account management for Collins Aerospace in Asia Pacific, Jim Walker
‘Creating an aerospace ecosystem and improving the rate of world-class infrastructure development is critical to the success of this industry’
Interview | Chairman and Managing Director, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, R. Madhavan || February 2019
‘HAL Has Established a Manufacturing Facility for Production of Eight Aircraft Per Annum’
Interview | Chairman, Kalyani Group, Baba Neelkanth Kalyani
‘We Have the Capability for Indigenisation of Critical Mechanical Items Particularly Parts Utilised in Aero Engines, Gear Box and Landing Gear’
Interview | Director general, DRDO BrahMos and CEO & managing director BrahMos Aerospace, Dr Sudhir Kumar Mishra
‘For the First Time in India, We Have Created a Knowledge Base in the Area of Air-Launched Missiles’
Interview | Vice president and country director, Thales in India, Emmanuel de Roquefeuil || February 2019
‘Our new Engineering Competence Centre Will be a First-of-its Kind in India That Will Focus on Software and Hardware Capabilities in the Areas of Civil as Well as Defence Businesses’
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