INDIAN ARMED FORCES CHIEFS ON OUR RELENTLESS AND FOCUSED PUBLISHING EFFORTS

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— General Upendra Dwivedi, Indian Army Chief

"Over the past 60 years, the growth of SP Guide Publications has mirrored the rising stature of Indian Navy. Its well-researched and informative magazines on Defence and Aerospace sector have served to shape an educated opinion of our military personnel, policy makers and the public alike. I wish SP's Publication team continued success, fair winds and following seas in all future endeavour!"

— Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, Indian Navy Chief

Since, its inception in 1964, SP Guide Publications has consistently demonstrated commitment to high-quality journalism in the aerospace and defence sectors, earning a well-deserved reputation as Asia's largest media house in this domain. I wish SP Guide Publications continued success in its pursuit of excellence.

— Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Indian Air Force Chief
SP's Military Yearbook 2021-2022
SP's Military Yearbook 2021-2022
       

A Word from Editor-in-Chief

Indian Air Force is on the path of transformation. In his interaction, Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff was very forthcoming and laid emphasis on soft power based capability enhancement and adaptation of modern technologies as the basis of IAF’s modernisation.

Issue: 02-2022By Jayant Baranwal, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

This issue of SP’s Aviation has an exclusive and exhaustive interview of Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF). In this interview, the CAS has given some very candid as well as elaborate insights into the preparedness as well as the plans for the future of the IAF. The CAS has also brought out the difficulties and challenges the IAF is confronted with in its efforts to attain and maintain its combat fleet at the level of 42 squadrons as authorised by the Government of India.

One military transport aircraft that is now emerging on the world scene is the Embraer C-390 twin-engine tactical transport aircraft designed to set new standards in its category. Along with its new variant, the KC-390, this platform is now being looked at for acquisition by nations across the world. This issue of SP’s Aviation carries a report by Rohit Goel of SP Guide Publications on the current state and the potential of this platform.

Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari presenting a memento to Jayant Baranwal, Editor-in-Chief, SP’s Aviation after their interaction

In the defence budget, presented to the Parliament by the Minister of Finance, Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2022, there is a notable focus on the modernisation of the Indian armed forces and the defence security infrastructure development, including the border road infrastructure. This issue of SP’s Aviation carries a detailed analysis on the new defence budget by Air Vice Marshal Sanjay Bhatnagar (Retd).

On December 25 last year, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) lifted atop the Ariane 5 rocket. The JWST is undoubtedly regarded as the most important astronomical payload to be sent into space ever. This issue of SP’s Aviation carries a detailed report on this space marvel by Air Vice Marshal Sanjay Bhatnagar (Retd).

India’s space venture for this year began in the early hours of February 14, 2022 when the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The PSLV-C52 successfully injected the Earth Observation Satellite EOS-04, into an intended sun synchronous polar orbit at an altitude of 529 km. Ayushee Chaudhary files a detailed report on this venture by ISRO in this issue of the magazine.

All this and more in this issue of SP’s Aviation. We welcome you aboard and wish you many happy landings!

Jai Hind!