With the shift of global power from West to East, we have entered the era of an Asia-centred century. 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. Changes in the military, economic and political dynamics of Asia are accelerating. Historically, changes in the international order and equations of power among nations have been almost inevitably accompanied by conflicts and wars.

The challenge ahead of the international community in general and Asian countries in particular would be how to ensure that this is avoided, and competition, so necessary to shaping the future, is managed below the levels of armed conflict. This is crucial for most countries like India so that their comprehensive national development can progress without adverse developments. In order to work toward such goals, it is necessary to look at security and military-related issues as objectively as possible.

This volume, a resource base for the professional and the general reader, is the fourth in the series of the annual publication of the Centre for Air Power Studies 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 areas that affect Asian countries and the developments in Asian countries, with a focus on China, India and Pakistan, to provide the requisite regional balance.