Asian Defence Review 2023: Aerospace Power in Asia’s New Security Environment

Over the last decade, the world has undergone transformational changes with the centre of gravity shifting from the West to the East. The economic dynamism of the Asian continent has made it a robust engine for global growth and prosperity, giving credence to claims that we are now moving into the ‘Asian Century’. Yet, the changing nature of conflicts and the ever-evolving geopolitical landscape has made stability and security in Asia (and the Indo-Pacific region at large) precarious. China’s rise as an economic and geopolitical powerhouse has been accompanied by growing military strength and a willingness to employ aggressive (if not belligerent) strategies and tactics to achieve its interests. At the same time, instability in Pakistan, tensions over the Taiwan Strait, the war in Ukraine, and the militarisation in West Asia contribute to the delicate balance of security in the region. The acknowledgement of space as a warfighting domain, combined with the rapid growth in defence technologies, has further complicated the defence landscape in Asia and the Indo-Pacific today. Against this background, this year’s edition of the Asian Defence Review focuses on aerospace power in Asia’s changing security environment. It originates from CAPS’ research focus on India’s extended neighbourhood—the Indo-Pacific region—and aerospace power. It presents the perspectives of a cross-section of authors, who are experts in their respective domains, to paint a picture of the defence. Author: Air Marshal Anil Chopra PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM (Retd), is a fighter pilot, test pilot, and a pioneer of the Mirage-2000 fleet, who has commanded a Mirage 2000 Squadron and the Flight Test Centre, Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) of the Indian Air Force (IAF). He was the Team Leader of the MiG-21 Bison Upgrade project in Russia. He has commanded operational air bases in both the Western and Eastern Sectors.