Asian Defence Review 2013

Vinod Patney

Going by all estimates, this is going to be an Asia-centred century. Indeed, a shift of global power is under way from West to East. The rise of China and India, the recovery and resurgence of Russia on one side, and Japan, on the other, and the nature of the international order are leading to enormous changes. These transformational changes in the military, economic, social and political dynamics of Asia will only accelerate with the passage of time.

Historically, changes in the international order and equations of power among nations have been almost inevitably accompanied by conflicts and wars. The challenge ahead, therefore, for the international community in general, and the Asian countries in particular, is to ensure that this is avoided, and competition, which is inevitable, is managed without escalating to the level of armed conflict. This is crucial for most countries, and especially so for India so that its pursuit of comprehensive national development can progress without adverse distractions. In order to work toward such goals, it is necessary to look at security and military-related issues as objectively as possible. It is with this objective in view that the Centre for Air Power Studies has been bringing out the Asian Defence Review.

This volume, a resource base for both the professional and the general readers, is the eighth in the series under this title, which aims to fill a critical information and knowledge gap in current strategic literature dealing with military strategy, defence politics and trends in military capabilities that impact countries in Asia. In particular, it covers some of the important issues that affect the Asian countries, including those related to air power, outer space, Pakistan, China, cruise missiles and sea-based deterrence.

Vinod Patney Air Marshal Vinod Patney SYSM, PVSM, AVSM, VrC (Retd) is one of the most distinguished fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force’s history; a decorated veteran of the 1965 and 1971 Wars, he is also a graduate of the Royal Air Force Staff College as well as a founder member of the premier Tactics & Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) of the Indian Air Force.

During his long and illustrious career, he held various Command and Staff appointments and was awarded the Sarvottom Yudh Seva Medal (SYSM) on April 6, 2000, for spearheading air attacks during the Kargil War, thus making him the first Air Force officer and sole recipient of the SYSM till date. He, thus, became the most decorated serving officer in all three Services.

He was also a member of the National Security Advisory Board from December 2001 to January 2004. In 2006, he was part of a study ordered by the Prime Minister and led by the late Shri K Subrahmanyam on Global Security. Author of the book Essays on Aerospace Power, he has also contributed articles on national security issues and aerospace affairs to a number of eminent periodicals. He has also participated/lectured at seminars/Track 2 dialogues in India and abroad. Presently, he is the Director General of the Centre for Air Power Studies, New Delhi.