Firepower in the current era is characterised by multiple combat platforms– guns, howitzers, multi-rockets and missiles - managed through the means of surveillance, target acquisition, engagement, destruction, and finally, damage assessment. For such complex orchestration of firepower to bear fruition, it is necessary to imbibe the right combinations of tactical, technical, logistic and financial factors which have to be derived from fundamental professional acumen rooted at the origins of firepower, the courses of its development and finally, the contemporary parameters of its application.

The concept of ASAT weapons has evolved over time as a logical progression from the mother concept of Anti Ballistic Missiles (ABM) or its more recent coinage,the Ballistic Missile defence (BMD)-- a Missile-based defence against the adversary's threat of Ballistic Missiles. Click here to read full paper

India and China have been pursuing essentially a two pronged strategy in Asia, particularly in the Indian Ocean region. On the one hand, they are engaged in a growing economic partnership with a moderating influence on the strategic competition. On the other hand, they have been relentless in their pursuit of a militarily advantageous position in the region. The equation, however, is not comparable, with India having to account for Pakistan, while China has to contend with a US-Taiwan partnership.