LESSONS FOR AIRPOWER

Learning from the Past and Ongoing Conflicts

-  V.R. CHAUDHARI

AFTER 1,000 DAYS OF CLOSELY WATCHING THE RUSSIA UKRAINE conflict, there are probably half that number of articles analysing the lessons of the operations. Strategists, think tanks and military leaders look at it from the political, strategic, operational and tactical levels and no matter which way you look at it, there will always be contrasting views.

THE NEW AGE TECHNOLOGIES

Tacticians have dissected the efficacy of kamikaze drones, the logisticians have analysed the failure of supply chains to keep the armour rolling and the image analysts have examined the bomb damage. New age tech geeks have looked at the 4th gen and 5th gen technologies, particularly those involved in battlefield communications. Journalists have questioned the political motives, alliances and fall outs. Economists debate the effectiveness of sanctions and the oil prices.

New age technologies will always remain at the forefront of any commentary on conflicts. The first Gulf War will always be remembered for the targeting strategies and use of precision weapons along with cruise missiles and stealth platforms. It was indeed the beginning of "Revolution in Military Affairs". But the new technologies of long-range communication and use of GPS for navigation and precision strikes caught everyone's attention and became a part of the 'must have' procurement plans of all militaries. Simplistic Command and Control became C4ISR. The development of newer microchips and enhanced computational power gave rise to integration of myriad systems multiplying their individual capabilities.

AIR POWER IN MODERN INTERVENTIONS