Boeing thomas breckenridge geopolitics

IAF CHIEF: WE ARE AGGRESSIVELY PURSUING OUR ACQUISITIONS Vol VII, Issue V, OCTOBER 2016 n `100

DEFENCE n DIPLOMACY n SECURITY www.geopolitics.in

STRATEGIES

FOR THE FUTURE All plans for the future require basic change in the macro level planning process so that requirements of the IAF are not mere wishlists but grounded in reality

INDIAN AIR FORCE

AIMING FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGES

HEMANT RAWAT

The Indian Air Force has many challenges as it approaches its Centenary in 2032; its equipment, training and human resource have to be nurtured to meet these challenges squarely, writes AIR VICE MARSHAL MANMOHAN BAHADUR VM (RETD)

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he Indian Air Force has been in the news for many reasons in the recent past – from the exceptional relief work done in a spate of natural calamities in Uttarakhand, Srinagar floods, Nepal Earthquake et al and the induction of women in the fighter fleet to the depleting strength of fighter Squadrons as MiG-21s and MiG-27s get phased out from its inventory. There is talk of a discord with the Russians on the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) project (though latest report do show some forward movement) and the Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) seems to have disappeared from the radar screens; however, the American and Western majors are making a beeline to India to set up full scale manufacturing facilities to bridge the fighter gap. The Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) 2102 2027 for the 12th to 14th plan periods is inching from the 12th to the 13th plan and all eyes are now on the new LTIPP

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that would bridge the 15 year period from 2017 to 2032, the year that would be the Centenary of the IAF. This piece analyses where the IAF would be in that significant milestone — 2032.

One basic fact needs to be re-iterated upfront to direct the discussion in this article and that is that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been tasked by the Union War Book to be responsible for the air defence of the country. So, the equipping, procurement policies and the employment posture of the IAF reflect national priorities and national strategies while the air arm of the other Services (and the civilian commercial fleet) are representative of the single Service role for which they exist. While being very vital components of the air power of India, the latter are dove tailed into the overall air plan drawn up by the IAF. What would be the threat for which the IAF would have to prepare? Many planners and analysts make the mistake

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of seeing single service threats and making recommendations accordingly, but while this does become an end result in a way, a holistic security appraisal has to be the progenitor of such analyses. It is well known that India, as a nation, is now preparing for a two front threat as a default situation. Recent political developments around the country only attest to the correctness of this analysis. The expending of political capital by China in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor confirms this fact and is indicative of a Chinese decision to further cement the relations with Pakistan, Indian protests against foreign activity in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir notwithstanding. While it may not be a collusive two front ‘hot’ war, the ‘second’ front, whichever it is, could have enough of a nuisance value to tie down forces. The IAF has to plan accordingly. The cliché ‘capabilities take time to build but intentions can change overnight’ is never more apt than in the present age.

Air Power Strength of Adversaries

China The modernisation trajectory of China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is on a steep upward gradient.

PLAAF’s strike forces would consist of the 4.5 generation Su-35 fighter, whose deliveries from Russia (24 in number) are soon commencing, and the numerous versions of the Su-27. The induction of the fifth generation J-20 stealth fighter into PLAAF has commenced in July this year and by 2017 the first Squadron would be up and flying as a composite unit, albeit with initial operational clearance. Thus, in around two decades from now, the J-20 would be the mainstay of the strike forces with true fifth generation capability with the fruition of their indigenous WS-15 aero engine programme. The H-6K bomber, recently upgraded, would still be in inventory though the Long Range Stealth Bomber would possibly be in the final stages of testing or would have started entering service. With armed UAVs already being flown and exported by China, Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAV) would be in an advanced stage of testing. The PLAAF fleet would have adequate AWACS based on indigenous platforms, including on the indigenous heavy lifter Y-20, which has also started entering service now; the induction of the Y-20 equipped with the indigenous WS-20 engine would greatly augment PAAF’s airlift capability. Incidentally, it would be naïve not to expect the Y-20 to be used as a flight refueller by then.

The rotary wing helicopter lift capability is already very impressive and will get a further boost when existing SinoRussian Advanced Heavy Lift helicopter programme fructifies. The acquisition of the S-400 SAM and AD system from Russia would greatly modernise the network and bring with it over the horizon capability. The focused way with which China is going about enhancing sea-based air power makes it imperative that this aspect be factored-in IAF’s strike plans. The implication is that peninsular India and the island territories, which otherwise had a benign tag, would need to be protected.

The PLA Rocket Forces (PLARF) would have expanded their reach and improved on quality; as PLARF is a deeply embedded part of China’s war plans, they constitute a major area to be addressed by IAF planners. One chink in PLAAF’s armour is the lack of actual war fighting experience, which it is trying to overcome through ex-

are taken quickly. Let us take stock of this requirement. The IAF has contracted for 272 Su-30s and presently has around 240 or so of these machines; though the programme is running behind schedule, the Pakistan remaining should be acquired by 2019.

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is a profesThe Rafale deal, worth 7.87 billion Eusional force with a progressive outlook ros (includes spares and weapons packand is on a modernisation drive. Its upage), has been signed and deliveries of graded Mirage III/V legacy fighters, Chithis very potent multi-role fighter should nese origin J-7, the very capable F-16s start commencing by October 2019; the and the JF-17 constitute its strike assets. full complement of 36 aircraft should be The JF-17 Block2 would possess air to air in Squadron service by 2022 as per the Inrefuelling capability, Beyond Visual Range ter-Government Agreement signed on 24 (BVR) missiles and modern Active ElecSeptember. The contract has a, first ever tronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar; for a fighter deal, performance based lothis version would be in Squadron sergistics clause that guarantees 75 per cent vice by the beginning of the next decade flight line availability. However, what is and would constitute the bulk of PAF not so encouraging is the absence of a 50 assets. Media reports indicate that Pakiper cent option clause – which has always stan may acquire the J 31 stealth fighter been inherent in any capital purchase. from China, but this is presently speculaThus, the price of any additional purchase tive; however, if the IAF gets the Russian would have to be negotiated again, a sure FGFA then this would become a reality. shot indication that the chances of additional numbers of this costly Tejas trainer under construction aircraft are bleak. The first Squadron of Tejas Mk1 (Initial Operation Clearance version) has been raised in Bengaluru; the first two aircraft were delivered in July with much fanfare, but the challenge for Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd to ramp up the production to even eight aircraft per year is immense. Even with this optimistic production rate (of eight aircraft), HAL would be able to deliver the twenty Mk1s only by end-2018. The Final Operational Clearance versions, another twenty in number, would take at least two years. The Mk1A, which is the The force multipliers have increased in version that the IAF actually wants, still number with IL-78 flight refuellers (but Fhas to go through prototype testing with 16s cannot be refuelled by this), Chinese four major pending modifications, viz., origin AWACS and Swedish Erieye AEW integration of an AESA radar, in-flight reaircraft. The helicopter fleet (operated by fuelling capability, an integral electronic Pak Army) would have Huey Cobras and warfare suite and Beyond Visual Range Mi-35 attack helicopters. PAF aircrew are (BVR) air to air missile. It can thus be exexperienced, especially now, having been pected into operational service not before active participants in the sustained air to 2022-2023. So, with the planned phase ground engagements against insurgents out of the MiG-21s and MiG-27s in the on its western borders. next 10 to 15 years, the slide in squadron Indian Aerospace Capability in 2032 strength cannot be stopped only with the Considering the rapid modernisation of Su-30s, Rafale and forty odd Mk1 Tejas PLAAF and PAF and their deep interacaircraft. The production line of the Tejas tion, the challenge before IAF planners Mk1A has to be streamlined to ensure a is to have their 42 fighter Squadrons to smooth production of the remaining 80 manage the two front threat. The IAF fighters – considering HAL’s track record, Chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha has this is a big challenge! But the numbers stated that the IAF expects to have its 42 would still be in deficit of almost 100+ combat Squadrons by 2027, the end of the airframes and there has to be an entry of present LTIPP. With just 11 years to go for some other multi-role combat aircraft. this milestone, this is a difficult task but This is where the strong pitch being made not unachievable if the correct decisions

by Lockheed Martin (for F 16), Boeing for ercises with forces like those of Pakistan and Turkey that have Western orientation and ethos.

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Boeing’s Make in India Plans Take Flight n its 100 years of aerospace leadership, Boeing Iscale has strategically invested to add to its global and depth by looking primarily at capability,

maritime reconnaissance aircraft, Harpoon missiles, and to be delivered soon - the Chinook heavy lift and Apache attack helicopters.

Boeing Delivers on its ‘Make in India’ Promise Boeing has been working with suppliers in India for decades in manufacturing, IT and engineering services.

Boeing currently works with 30 direct and 120 indirect suppliers to provide parts and assemblies covering aerostructures, wire harness, composites, forgings, avionics mission systems, and ground support equipment.

Boeing’s supplier network in India is

delivering on complex work packages for commercial and defense aircraft such as the 777, 787, P-8, F/A-18 Super Hornet, F-15, and CH-47 Chinook.

November 2015: Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) announced a joint venture to manufacture aerospace aerostructures in India and partner on codevelopment of systems in the future.

June 2016: Boeing and TASLlaid the foundation of the new JV facility in Hyderabad

productivity, quality and market potential.

F/A-18 Super Hornets India producIndia offers tremendous tion line provides clear path to AMCA advantages in all these areas, which Looking ahead, the biggest Make in India makes it a natural and strategic accelerant is the possibility to make India partner to Boeing for the long term. the center of future F/A-18 Super Hornet Over the last seven decades, Boeing production and support. In addition to Boehas remained committed to expanding’s relationships with Indian industry, the ing its presence, partnerships and Super Hornet’s global supply chain proinvestments in Indian aerospace vides opportunities for Indian aerospace and defence sector as well asdelivering on promises made.

Thomas (Thom) partnerships in key technological areas.

The Super Hornet will be built in a When Prime Minister Narendra Breckenridge world class, advanced manufacturing Modi launched the ‘Make in India’ facility in India with the latest technologies in programme, Boeing welcomed his vision and acplace, perfectly positioning India to build its celerated its pace of investments in manufacturing, skill development and engineering footprint in Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

The Super Hornet has more composite content India to forge the way towards building a strong than its competitors and Boeing has a wealth of and indigenous ecosystem, in support of the knowledge in composite development testing and ‘Make in India’. Boeing’s sourcing from India has analysis, which will also help bridge to AMCA. doubled in recent years and now stands close Boeing will work closely with India industry to half a billion dollars a year. Some of the most to apply lessons learned from the current Super advanced engineered and manufactured aircraft Hornet production line. For example, Boeing components like the fuselage of the Chinook is in the process of standing up a new wing helicopter, floor beams for the 787-9 and 787-10 line – which will include new production and Dreamliner and titanium forgings for the 737 spare parts - with the latest technologies that and 777X come from Boeing’s supply chain in save time and money. Boeing’s industrial best India, comprising more than 30 direct and 120 practice of precision manufacturing processes indirect suppliers. (See sidebar). In addition, in will be applied in India, providing another path for the past five years, Boeing has been instrumental India to build AMCA as well as benefitting India’s in enhancing and modernizing India’s defense indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). capabilities with the C-17 strategic airlifter, P-8I

F-18 and SAAB for its Grippen comes-in.

While Lockheed has stated that it will shift its full plant to India (making India the sole supplier of F-16s worldwide), SAAB has said that it will set up the production in India (with plants in Sweden and Brazil continuing production for other customers). Boeing also has a similar offer, underscoring the fact that India is perhaps the only emerging market for fighter aircraft in such large numbers. It’s

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Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornets

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Super Hornet advanced capabilities perfectly suited for IAF This multi-role superiority aircraft provides operational benefits to India’s existing force structure. For example, every Super Hornet has a buddy refueling capability that can extend Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) time on station, range, and endurance. Additionally, the Super Hornet can provide close and deep air support through the AESA radar targeting data and reliable data links.

Furthermore, it’s highly capable across the full mission spectrum and is able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum for the IAF, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision strike capabilities, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions.

The Super Hornet is the most advanced aircraft of its kind in operation today with designed-in stealth, an AESA radar and many other advanced technologies. Even more, Boeing and the U.S. Navy have laid out and maintained a robust spiral development approach to the Super Hornet that provides updates to the aircraft’s subsystems and software every two years to outpace threats for decades to come.

The future insertion of conformal fuel tanks will reduce weight and drag while expanding range and speed of the Super Hornet. As part of this development path, the enhanced GE 414 engine offers an opportunity for collaboration with Indian firms to usein the LCA and future AMCA. The Super Hornet is a twin-engine aircraft that will be the sole producer of Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter fuselages globally. JV is called Tata-Boeing.

In 2014, Boeing set up a production line at Dynamatic Technologies to produce ramp and pylon aerostructures for the CH-47 Chinook helicopter.

Boeing opened a C-17 Training Center with Mahindra Defence Systems in July 2016 to provide C-17 training services to the Indian Air Force. true that the F-35 is also being produced, but that is for a different class of aircraft, for a limited number of countries and in small numbers. This is a decision that the Government of India has to take, and the situation has been brought about by the inordinate delay in finalising the Rafale contract (the original one under which 126 aircraft were to be procured).

The 22 Apaches contracted would be fully operational along with the twenty

that provides a margin of safety that does not exist in a single-engine platform. A single-engine aircraft is likely lost with an engine failure while a twin-engine platform can lose an engine and still safely return to the nearest base.

Boeing’s active production line and robust supply chain allows the company to offer the most affordable platform. The Super Hornet is not only less expensive to acquire, but it also costs less per flight hour to operate than any other tactical aircraft in U.S. forces inventory.

Ease of maintenance (supportability) results in low maintenance man-hours per flight hour.

Plus the Super Hornet does not require any scheduled Depot-Level maintenance and the engine does not require any scheduled maintenance between overhauls.

Boeing will partner with the IAF and Indian industry on a comprehensive, indigenous logistics system. Boeing’s full spectrum of support will be rooted on fulfilling the unique IAF baseline requirements for operating the Super Hornet. Boeing plans to partner with Indian industry to fulfill the needs of the IAF and potentially other Boeing platforms and other countries’ fleets.

With multi-role capabilities, advanced capabilities with room to grown and low acquisition and sustainment costs, the Super Hornet is the clear choice for the IAF. — Thomas (Thom) Breckenridge, Vice President, Global Sales – India Global Sales & Marketing Boeing Defense, Space & Security

Boeing has been working with Tata Advanced Materials, Mahindra Defence Systems, Dynamatic Technologies, Bharat Forge, Bharat Electronics, Tata Advanced Systems, Hindustan Aeronautics, TAL Manufacturing Solutions, Rossell Techsys, Sasmos and other companies, illustrating the varied aerospace capabilities that Boeing is helping build in its Indian supply-chain. odd Mi-35s still in service. The Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv (Weapon System Integrated version) both with the IAF and Army Aviation would form the bulk of the attack helicopter fleet. The programme for the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), whose prototype testing is underway, has to be nurtured and progressed at an accelerated pace. India has a winner in the LCH, as no helicopter in the world can

land at 15,000 feet and also fire armament at those altitudes; the LCH should have entered service with the IAF by 2022 and be in substantial strength by 2032.

UAVs have proliferated worldwide but unfortunately, the DRDO has slipped up in the research and development of an indigenous product. The Rustom UAV is meandering along at DRDO pace, and even when the product comes out, the result would be of an outdated technology generation. So, considering this reality, the purchase of HALE and MALE UAVs from foreign manufacturers cannot be wished away. One can expect more orders for the latest versions of the unarmed Heron, even as its armed version also enters service.

A complete makeover of the weapon holdings of the IAF would have been undertaken towards a marked qualitative increase in potency and range of their application. Some Sukhoi-30s would be equipped with the 290 km range BrahMos supersonic air to ground missile while the Meteor mounted on the Rafale would give a BVR range of more than 100+ km! Similarly, Precision Guided Munitions (PGM) would be the weapons of choice and their holdings increased substantially.

The 10 C-17s, 12 Il-76, six C-130s, around a hundred An-32s and the increasing strength of C-295s which will start flowing three to four years from now would afford the IAF unparalleled inter and intra command mobility. The helilift capability would only increase as the years pass and would be concentrated around the fifteen Chinooks, three Mi-26s and 159 x Mi-171V5s. An additional order of 48 x Mi-17 V5 that has been placed would add to the medium lift capability while the Dhruvs, Chetaks/Cheetahs and the incoming Ka-226s from Russia would provide the light utility heli-support.

The achievement of network centricity is a KRA under progress while augmenting and integrating airborne and ground based C4ISR elements has been taken up with renewed vigour. Space would be an integral part of all operations; the successful launch of the GSLV on 08 September has added significant capability to ISRO. From media reports it is evident that by the end of the 14th plan period the IAF would have some dedicated satellites in orbit solely for its use.

The AD environment would be extremely potent with the induction of the S-400 lethal SAM system from Russia, Spyder, Medium Range SAMs and more importantly 45 firing units of the indigenous Akash SAMs; the totally indigenous Integrated Air Command and Control

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System (IACCS) would be used to network them with the AWACS and indigenous ground radars, a large number of which are entering service.

The conduct of future wars would extensively depend on the use of ISR assets. To extract the maximum from the information available from these assets, it would be imperative to network them (the AWACS, AEW and satellites in space) to shorten the sensor to shooter time. This capability will also permit better dynamic targeting deep into the adversary’s territory. Networking, however, is a very specialised and time consuming activity and will take much ingenuity to shorten the time frame.

If the plans being made now fructify, then the middle of the next decade would see progress on the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the positioning in space of dedicated military satellites for the IAF which would see a truly network centric operational milieu in which the IAF would be operating. The Space Command of the Services should be a reality by then. The testing of a scramjet and a scaled model of a re-usable re-entry vehicle by ISRO are indicators that some work is ongoing at present for the Hypersonic Glide Vehicle and futuristic planning is taking place to match the capability of China in the field of conventional prompt global strike.

All plans for the future require one basic change in the macro level planning process so that requirements of the IAF (as indeed of the other Services) are not mere wish lists but grounded in reality vis-à-vis the budgetary support that can be expected. The 15 year Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan of the three Services must be linked to the defence budget of the relevant period. As time elapses, the problem of maintaining an inventory of legacy and modern equipment will only increase and to support this, an accelerated Governmental thrust for setting up an indigenous arms manufacturing base is the need of the hour. We need to be realistic about our modest capabilities and ensure that the war fighter gets the weapons he needs – that more and more of them get sourced from within the country should guide governmental decision making.

Conclusion

Peering into the future in the field of defence preparedness is tricky business, especially when a country lives in an ‘exciting’ neighbourhood, the latest eruption being the Uri strike in Kashmir and its resultant raising of tensions. Geo

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P

Gripen for India

rime Minister Modi’s vision for Defence and Aerospace is clear: ‘Make in India’ is going to be the foundation of defence capability building in India. We can foresee that most of the major programmes and acquisitions going ahead are guarantees full and independent ownership, with going to involve a large component of in-country the freedom to adapt, enhance and upgrade development/manufacturing – which will help the aircraft according to India’s national needs.

India become a defence technology hub for the Gripen ensures India’s full freedom to act, now next generation of systems. and in the future.

We could look at ‘Make in India’ from the With Gripen, India can add an entirely new narrow prism of setting up or transferring assem- dimension to its national industrial base, developbly lines from foreign countries to India – or we ing new skills and new centres of excellence could expand the debate and look at what it will that will be a true national asset. In an era when take for India’s defence industry to truly become costs are rising and return on investment is the centre of the next technology revolution in often unclear, Gripen charts a clear course for Defence. This would mean looking at not just asnational defence and industrial security. Indeed, sembly, but at capability development its unbeatable combination of combat for system and sub-system design; power and cost control will help secure development; component and system India’s air power credentials for the manufacturing; quality and processes; coming decades. integration; and finally, support and Just as important as technology MRO. partnership is air power. Gripen is the Sweden and Saab have a proven next-generation combat aircraft that can track record of being open to sharmeet India’s needs for 21st Century ing critical technology and working air power. It is an advanced, multi-role closely with partner countries to build fighter at the start of its development Jan Widerström such capability. We call it true transfer life – which means it will be the leadof technology. This includes training, ing fighter platform in the world for transfer of know-how, capability development, decades to come. As the newest generation of and development of a strong supply chain for fighter in service today, it is designed to maintain cutting-edge technology systems. We are not operational superiority against existing and future talking about telling someone how to use a threats by allowing easy upgrades with new screwdriver; we are talking about a long-term sensors, avionics and weapons. It delivers an vision where our partners can be self-reliant and unbeatable mix of technology, combat effectivebuild a state-of-the-art domestic industry. ness and future-proof design in a package that is A close partnership between Sweden and uniquely cost effective.

India will lead to the creation of a number of highGripen can bring to India world-leading techtech jobs in manufacturing, and increase avenues nology and capability that would be of great help for education in defence engineering – through to any Air Force facing challenging scenarios: collaboration between Indian and Swedish Highly advanced net-centric warfare: Universities, including exposure to the Saab Gripen’s mix of long-range datalinks and secure production concept and way of working. This will communications in an advanced cockpit, plus benefit not just India alone, but also Saab and our sensor systems and powerful Electronic Sweden – real progress is where all parties in Warfare systems, will drive tactics and operaa partnership can say that they have learnt some- tional capability to a new level. thing beneficial from the partnership.

Sensor fusion: Gripen’s mastery of sensor Gripen delivers the Swedish model of fusion – radar, IRST and ESM –is the technology partnership and cooperation, with true technolthat definesthe networked tactics of the future. ogy transfer and sovereign operational capacUnique BVR capability: No country has ity placed firmly in the hands of its users. It a weapon that comes close to the MBDA

Meteor – Gripen today is the only fighter in the world that has the Meteor integrated and operational. Furthermore, Gripen’s unique level of advanced sensors, sensor fusion and datalink-driven tactics means that Gripen pilots can exploit the capabilities of all their air-to-air weapons like no other fighter.

Forward-basing and flexible deployment: Gripen is designed to be supremely deployable, to operate away from large, vulnerable air base facilities as a matter of routine. The Gripen concept of operations means the fighter can operate from small, short and unprepared landing strips such as India’s forward-based Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) or even from ordinary roads.

Total integration flexibility: Only Gripen gives customers the freedom to integrate multiple weapons types, quickly and affordably.

With Gripen, India will have the ability to retain and exploit its current and future inventory of advanced weapons and will not be tied to any single source or supplier.

Performance at every end of the scale: Gripen combines an agile dogfighting capability, with an unparalleled short field capability and the ability to supercruise (supersonic flight without afterburner) with an effective combat load.

Gripen delivers performance at every level.

Gripen will meet and defeat the most sophisticated threats of today and tomorrow, while surviving in the toughest environments. It is the product of a clear and clever Swedish design philosophy that delivers simplicity with maximum effectiveness at every level. With Gripen, air forces become better, faster, smarter; always available, always operational.

With Gripen, pilots spend more time in the air and their units can deploy more aircraft, on more missions, more often. With a very short turnaround time and a unique ability to integrate almost any weapon system, new or old, Gripen has the ability to serve as a true force multiplier for the nation.

It is the next-generation combat aircraft that meets India’s needs for the 21st Century. Gripen is ready for India. Ready for 2050.

tween the US, Russia, China, India and Pakistan. While the politicians and diplomats do their job it is incumbent on the part of the Services to keep the country safe and guard its interests. This would require concerted efforts on the part of every branch of the Government to pull together towards a common goal. Recent conflicts have shown that air power has become the weapon of first choice of the political leadership. The Indian Air Force

has many challenges as it approaches its Centenary in 2032; its equipment, training and human resource have to be nurtured to meet those challenges squarely.

Happy Air Force Day! May the blues ‘Touch the Sky with Glory!’

political re-alignments are taking place at a very fast pace. By signing the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Understanding (LEMOA) with the US, India has signaled a new orientation of its foreign policy. The fact that Prime Minister Modi is not attending the Non-Aligned Meet in Venezuela, though India is the founder member of NAM, is a statement of deep import. These events would surely result in re-drawing of strategic equations be-

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— Jan Widerström, Chairman and Managing Director, Saab India Technologies

The author retired as an Air Vice Marshal.

Presently, he is a Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Air Power Studies, New Delhi