A U.S.-made F-16 fighter of the Taiwanese air force flies at low-altitude over a highway in Chiatung during a drill Nov. 17 (Patrick Lin / AFP via Getty Images)

17 Nov 2011DefenseNews AFP

CHIATUNG, Taiwan - Taiwan's military on Nov. 17 carried out a major maneuver testing its ability to withstand a D-Day style attack by China.

The drill, held on the south of the island, pitted a marine brigade, acting as an enemy landing force, against a motorized infantry brigade defending the island, according to the defense ministry.

The air force had planned to have four aircraft, including a U.S.-made F-16, land on and take off from a sealed-off section of a highway near the southern city of Pingtung but had to skip that part of the drill due to low visibility.

Ties between Taiwan and China have improved drastically since Ma Ying-jeou of the China-friendly Kuomintang party became president in 2008. Ma promised to boost trade links and allow more Chinese tourists to visit the island.

But China still claims sovereignty over Taiwan, which has governed itself since 1949, and has vowed to get it back, by force if necessary.

As a result, China continues to build up its military facing Taiwan, focusing especially on weaponry that can help bring the island to its knees, should the need arise.

Taiwanese experts estimate that China has more than 1,600 missiles aimed at the island and has recently deployed a new type of ballistic missile despite improving ties.

November 17, 2011 defpro.com

A two-day National Workshop on Nanotechnology for Defence Applications (NWNDA-2011) concluded in India today. The event marked the Golden Jubilee of Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL), a premier institute of the Defence Research & Development Board (DRDO), working on development of solid state devices for defence needs.

A sustained and dedicated research over the past few years has led DRDO to development of products that are currently at different stages of maturity. To realize deliverable products, product engineering and technologies for up-scaling are essential components in the product development process, a collaborative and coherent approach is being worked out. This workshop is an important and crucial platform for realization of this objective.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, who appreciated the work being carried out by DRDO in the field of Nanotechnology, particularly in the field of sensors and composites. He advocated selection of realizable application area and keeping the research activity focused on demands of defence forces. He further emphasized on roping in industry partners in all possible fields.

Dr. K. D. Nayak, Chief Controller R&D, DRDO, highlighted the extensive work being carried out by DRDO in the field of Nanotechnology and stressed the necessity of enabling technologies such as Nanotechnology for building better products for defence forces and nation, such as the recently launched Agni-IV, where several improvements were brought about by using these advanced composite materials.

Dr. R. Muralidharan, Director SSPL deliberated on the work being carried out at SSPL in the field of nanotechnology.

November 18, 2011 by Shiv Aroor LIVEFIST

That arrestingly beautiful piece of land is Greater Coco Island in the Bay of Bengal, a part of India's Andaman & Nicobar Islands union territory. It is one of only a tiny constellation of islands that belongs to Myanmar. Greater Coco has for long been known to be managed by Chinese, with reports over two decades of signal intelligence facilities, maritime bases, a radar facilities (which is, apparently, all but confirmed) and as a general surveillance hub to keep tabs on Indian military activity (which only really began in a big way in 2001 with the setting up of the Andaman & Nicobar Command at Port Blair).

While I was on assignment on the Andaman Islands earlier this month, there was plenty of talk about how the Chinese were expanding Greater Coco island's airstrip into a modern air base. The Google Earth grab above gives you a splendid view of the runway that the Chinese appear to have built (my sources say the base is close to completion).

Indian threat perceptions aside, this airfield has got to afford one of the most scenic landings of any airport I can think of. What a beauty.

NEW DELHI, Nov. 17 (UPI)

India is in final negotiations for buying two more Israeli-made EL/M-2075 Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control Systems, the Times of India reported.

The $800 million contract is in addition to another $1.1 billion deal for three Phalcons signed in 2004 with Israel and Russia, the Times report said. In that deal, Russia supplied the AWACS aircraft -- Ilyushin-76 military transport plane. The three planes were delivered in 2009 and 2010.

The Phalcon is developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and Elta Electronics Industries of Israel. Apart from India and Israel, the Phalcon is used by Chile and Singapore.

India also is on schedule for developing its own AWACS, a smaller system than the Phalcon and for use on smaller planes.

The mini-AWACS program is a $400 million project to mount the radars on three Embraer-145 jets bought from Brazil.

Delivery date for the first plane is 2015, according to a Ministry of Defense statement in November 2010. The Ministry also plans another three mini-AWACS, but has not decided on an aircraft.

Dr. Prahlada, Chief Controller of Research and Development at the Defense Research and Development Organization, which is leading the mini-AWACS program, said the systems will be "85 percent indigenous."

The first three mini-AWACS will have a radar range between 150 and 225 miles and stay airborne for up to 5 hours.

Early last year, Boeing was in talks with the Ministry of Defense about using its 737-700 as a platform for the mini-AWACS.

The AWACS will be especially useful for detecting troop movements as well as cruise missiles.

The Time of India also reported that the Indian army has inducted another regiment of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, a precision-strike weapon with a range of around 200 miles.

The missiles likely will be deployed in the state of Arunachal Pradesh state in the northeast along the remote and contested border with China, the report said.

BrahMos missiles will "counter China's huge buildup of military infrastructure all along the 4,057-kilometer (2,500-mile) Line of Actual Control following a similar nod for the western sector facing Pakistan." the Times said.

The BrahMos is a based on Russian technology and is developed by BrahMos Aerospace -- a joint venture company created in 1998. BMA is 50.5 percent Indian-government owned and 49.5 percent by the Russian government. The name BrahMos is derived from two rivers, India's Brahmaputra and Russia's Moskva.

Last year the Indian government announced plans to have a reduced-weight air-launched version of the BrahMos on the air force's Sukhoi SU-30 MK-1 fighter aircraft by 2012.

The two-stage supersonic version, with its solid propellant engine, reaches Mach 3. But a hypersonic version is under development, BrahMos Aerospace said. It will use scram-jet engines, in place of ramjet, and reach Mach 6.

India has hopes for exporting the missiles, but only after all Ministry of Defense orders have been met.

photo Peng Chen

17 November 2011 airforce-technology.com

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) may develop a third squadron for the indigenously produced JF-17 Thunder aircraft by early next year.

The air force has already equipped the 26 Squadron and the 16 Squadron with the aircraft.

The PAC JF-17 Thunder is a lightweight, single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft primarily developed to meet PAF requirements.

The aircraft was jointly developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAC) of China, the PAF and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC).

The PAF intends to equip the aircraft with air-to-air refuelling capability to boost its range, according to Press Trust of India.

November 17, 2011 Donna Miles / American Forces Press Service – defpro.com

WASHINGTON | U.S. President Barack Obama joined Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard Nov. 16 to announce expanded military-to-military relationships between the two countries as they commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Australia-New Zealand-U.S. alliance.

Speaking at a joint news conference in the Australian capital of Canberra, the leaders announced closer collaboration between the U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force and the Australian Defense Force.

Beginning in mid-2012, company-size rotations of 200 to 250 Marines will begin deploying near Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory for six-month rotations. Gillard said the presence will expand to a force of 2,500 over the next several years.

“As of today’s deal, U.S. Marines will be for the first time conducting exercises by themselves on Australian soil,” Obama said.

This rotational deployment is significant because it allows the United States and Australia to build capacity and cooperation, the president said.

“But it also allows us to meet the demands of a lot of partners in the region” in terms of training, exercises and “the presence that’s necessary to maintain the security architecture of the region,” he added.

Obama and Gillard also agreed to provide U.S. military aircraft greater access to Royal Australian Air Force facilities in northern Australia.

The expanded relationship will ensure “we’re going to be in a position to more effectively strengthen the security of both of our nations and this region,” Obama said.

It also will ensure an ability to respond faster to crises and provide humanitarian and disaster relief, he said. “This will allow us to be able to respond in a more timely fashion and also equip a lot of … smaller countries who may not have the same capacity,” he said. “It allows us to equip them so that they can respond more quickly as well.”

The expanded U.S.-Australia military relationship also “sends a clear message of our commitment to this region, a commitment that is enduring and unwavering” the president said.

“I am making it clear that the United States is stepping up its commitment to the entire Asia-Pacific [region],” the president said, thanking Australia for its leadership role in the region.

“As it has been for six decades” he continued, “our alliance is going to be indispensable to our shared future, the security we need and the prosperity that we seek, not only in this region, but around the world.”

The talks in Australia spanned a range of challenges that extend beyond the region, including the International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan, the president said.

“Obviously, this has not been an easy mission for either of our countries,” he said, expressing condolences for Australia’s fallen. “But we both understand what’s at stake -- what happens when al-Qaida has safe havens. We’ve seen the awful loss of life, from 9/11 to Bali.”

Obama cited progress in the transition process in Afghanistan as security responsibility is transferred to Afghan security forces.

“But it’s important that we do it right,” he said. “Given the enormous investment that’s been made and the signs that we can, in fact, leave behind a country that’s not perfect, but one that is more stable, more secure and does not provide safe haven for terrorists, it’s appropriate for us to finish the job and do it right.”

November 17th, 2011 By Indian Government News, DEFENCE TALK

India today successfully test-fired the most advanced long-range missile system Agni-4 today. The missile was launched from a Road Mobile System at 9.00 AM from Wheelers’ Island off the coast of Odisha.

The missile followed its trajectory, in a text book fashion, attained a height of about 900 kms and reached the pre-designated target in the international waters of Bay of Bengal.

All mission objectives were fully met. All the systems functioned perfectly till the end encountering the re-entry temperatures of more than 3000⁰C.

This missile is [one-of-a-kind], proving many new technologies for the first time, and represents a quantum leap in terms of missile technology. The missile is lighter in weight and has two stages of solid propulsion and a payload with re-entry heat shield. The composite rocket motor which has been used for the first time has given excellent performance. The missile system is equipped with modern and compact avionics with redundancy to provide high level of reliability.

The indigenous Ring Laser Gyros based high accuracy INS (RINS) and Micro Navigation System (MINGS) complementing each other in redundant mode have been successfully flown in guidance mode for the first time. The high performance onboard computer with distributed Avionics architecture, high speed reliable communication bus and a full Digital Control System have controlled and guided the missile to the target. The missile reached the target with very high level of accuracy. Radars and electro-optical systems along the coast of Odisha have tracked and monitored all the parameters of the missile. Two Indian naval ships located near the target witnessed the final event.

Defence Minister Shri A.K. Antony congratulated the DRDO team on its achievement. Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Director General DRDO, who witnessed the launch, congratulated all the Scientists and employees of DRDO and the Armed Forces for the successful launch of AGNI-4. Sri Avinash Chander, Chief Controller (Missiles & Strategic Systems), DRDO and Programme Director, AGNI, while addressing the Scientists after the launch, called it as a new era in the modern Long Range Navigation System in India. He said, “this test has paved the way ahead for the success of AGNI-5 Mission, which will be launched shortly”.

Smt. Tessy Thomas, Project Director AGNI-4 and her team prepared and integrated the Missile System and launched the Missile successfully. In a jubilant tone she said that the DRDO has produced and proven many new state of the art technologies in the Missile System like Composite Rocket Motors, very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System, Micro Navigation System, Digital Controller System and very powerful onboard computer system.

The missile, having capability to carry strategic warheads for the Forces, has provided a fantastic deterrence to the country and it will be produced in numbers and delivered to the Armed Forces as early as possible.

Sri S.K. Ray, Director RCI, Sri P. Venugopalan, Director DRDL, Dr V.G. Sekaran Director ASL, Sri S.P. Dash Director ITR were present during the launch and reviewed all the activities.

16 Nov 2011DefenceNews AFP

UNITED NATIONS - Greek authorities seized almost 14,000 anti-chemical weapons suits from a North Korean ship possibly headed for Syria but did not disclose the find for nearly two years, diplomats said Nov. 16.

The seizure was reported to the U.N. Security Council, which discussed the monitoring of nuclear sanctions against the isolated North, diplomats said.

The Greek operation was carried out in November 2009 but only reported to the United Nations in September, a diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity in confirming the number of suits to protect against chemical weapons involved.

"It seems the shipment was headed for Latakia in Syria," a second diplomat said, noting that the Greek report to the council did not mention Syria.

"There is increasing concern because more and more of the violations before several sanctions committees seem to involve Syria."

Syria has already been linked to breaches of an arms embargo against Iran.

Both diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity as the report by the chairman of the North Korea sanctions committee, Portugal's U.N. Ambassador Jose Filipe Moraes Cabral, was given behind closed doors.

The U.N. Security Council ordered tough sanctions against North Korea after it staged nuclear weapons tests in 2006 and 2009.

The North pulled out of nuclear talks with China, the United States, Japan, Russia and South Korea in 2009 and efforts to kick start negotiations are struggling, with the United States and its allies saying that North Korea is not serious about disarmament.

In a comment sent on an official Twitter account, a British diplomat said it was "clear that North Korea (is) still violating" Security Council resolutions.

"Strong concerns in council about the ongoing proliferation efforts," added a German diplomat. Neither mentioned the seizure of the anti-chemical weapons suits.

JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft on display at the Dubai air show 2011. (Photo: APA)

November 16, 2011 defpro.com

Azerbaijan intends to purchase JF-17 combat aircrafts jointly produced by Pakistan and China

Baku | As Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), which displayed its products in Dubai Airshow-2011 in UAE, told APA, Azerbaijan shows interest in JF-17 Thunder combat aircrafts jointly produced by Pakistan and China and announced its intention to purchase aircrafts of this type.

The JF-17 Thunder performed flight displays over the Dubai airport during the air show. Members of the Azerbaijani delegation also watched the flights.

Referring to negotiations held with Azerbaijan, company officials said that the discussions have not entered the phase of signing a contract yet. The company is currently executing the orders of the Pakistani Air Forces; the export to Azerbaijan could be realised in the upcoming years. According to the company, the negotiating parties are determining the annual amount of the possible order.

Offering a high manoeuvrability, JF-17 Thunder aircraft have the same or even superior capabilities to the MiG-29 aircraft of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. By introducing this asset into its inventory the Azerbaijani Armed Forces could increase their combat effectiveness.

PAC company officials said that Pakistan and Azerbaijan have high-level relations. Islamabad supports Baku’s positions and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and provided military assistance to the country since the very beginning. Taking these relations into consideration, there will be no problems in the sale of fighter aircraft to Azerbaijan.

According to company’s representatives, within the Pakistan-China cooperation, the production of a Block-2 version of the JF-17 Thunder will soon be launched. This model will be equipped with the newest electronic warfare systems, as well as additional weapon systems. In addition, a two-seat configuration of the aircraft is being developed.

The length of the JF-17 is 14,97 m. The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 12474 kg, a combat radius of 1352 km and reaches a maximum speed of 1909 km/h.

A 23 mm GSh-23-2 twin-barrel cannon, four air-to-air missiles, one air-to-surface missile, as well as Mk-82, Mk-84 general purpose bombs, GBU-10, GBU-12, LT-2 laser-guided bombs, Matra Durandal anti-runway bombs, CBU-100/Mk-20 Rockeye anti-armour cluster bombs, are among the possible armament of the JF-17. (APA/Rashad Suleymanov)

L'USS Cowpens mène des bâtiments de la force d 'auto-défense japonaise dans l'océan Pacifique, en 2010. (Illustration). Crédits photo : Itsuo Inouye/AP

14/11/2011 Par Laure Mandeville – Figaro.fr

Washington veut faire pièce à l'expansion militaire chinoise dans le Pacifique. 

Pas de développement économique sans sécurité. Pas de stabilité sans engagement militaire de l'Amérique en Asie. Après avoir réussi à faire décoller son projet de zone de libre-échange la plus grande du monde lors du sommet de l'Apec à Hawaï, tel est le message que le président Obama va s'employer à porter à travers la région cette semaine. Sa tournée le mènera en Australie et à Bali pour un sommet de l'Asie de l'Est destiné à discuter de l'instabilité en mer de Chine Sud, du nucléaire nord-coréen, du terrorisme et des autres menaces qui fragilisent un ensemble asiatique en plein essor.

L'Amérique a bien l'intention de répondre présente face à l'inquiétude de ses partenaires asiatiques, qui réclament à cor et à cri un renforcement de la présence militaire américaine pour contrer l'influence de plus en plus envahissante du géant chinois. «Les voisins asiatiques de la Chine gravitent vers celle-ci, la voyant comme le seul espoir de poursuite de la croissance économique, mais ils regardent anxieusement vers l'Amérique en quête d'assurances stratégiques», résume Simon Tay, le président de l'Institut des affaires internationales de Singapour. La montée en puissance de l'armée et de la marine chinoises, couplée aux revendications de Pékin sur la mer de Chine Sud, une zone riche en énergie et en ressources halieutiques, dont les îlots sont disputés avec acharnement par plusieurs États frontaliers, mobilise des pays comme le Vietnam ou les Philippines. «La posture de la Chine est dans l'esprit de tous», confirme Jamie Metzl, vice-président de la société asiatique de New York. Et l'Amérique fait, par voie de conséquence, figure de recours.

Symbole fort de son engagement à jouer son rôle de contrepoids et d'«ancrage de stabilité», Barack Obama se rend tout d'abord en Australie pour une visite importante et hautement symbolique, lors de laquelle la création d'une base militaire américaine dans le nord du pays (à Darwin, selon les journaux australiens) devrait être annoncée. «L'Australie a fait des ouvertures aux États-Unis pour que nous augmentions notre coopération avec les forces armées australiennes et que nous utilisions leurs bases d'entraînement. C'était une demande sans précédent et nous en sommes très reconnaissants», a confirmé dimanche le commandant en chef des forces américaines dans le Pacifique, Robert Willard, depuis Hawaï, devant un parterre de journalistes de la Maison-Blanche, insistant sur l'intensité de la relation américano-australienne.

L'Amérique, dont le commandement pacifique compte quelque 350.000 hommes, s'appuie pour l'heure essentiellement sur les bases de Guam et d'Okinawa (50.000 hommes). Quelque 30.000 soldats restent déployés sur la ligne de démarcation entre la Corée du Sud et la Corée du Nord. Nombre de navires américains patrouillent en mer de Chine.

«Disposer de nouveaux points d'appui sera extrêmement important et soulagera nos forces dans la région», a noté l'amiral Willard. À côté des alliés les plus proches des États-Unis - Australie, Corée du Sud, Japon, Thaïlande et Philippines, d'autres États réclament un renforcement des relations de défense avec Washington, comme le Vietnam ou Singapour. «Les Américains aident à préserver la paix, nous les voulons ici», a insisté le premier ministre singapourien, Lee Hsien Loong, dont le pays est économiquement très proche de Pékin. Alors que ses relations avec le Pakistan se détériorent, l'Amérique se rapproche aussi de l'Inde, autre puissance militaire régionale.

La grande difficulté pour l'Amérique sera de répondre au besoin grandissant de sécurité de la zone sans donner à Pékin le sentiment de l'encercler, affirment les experts. Un vrai défi pour une Amérique qui tente notamment de percer le mur de méfiance qui sépare les armées américaine et chinoise. L'acidité des échanges bilatéraux entre Obama et Hu sur les questions monétaires et commerciales, ce week-end à Hawaï, annonce des discussions sécuritaires musclées à Bali.

November 15, 2011 Lv Desheng / PLA Daily – defpro.com

As agreed upon by the Chinese and Pakistani militaries through consultations, the "Friendship 2011" China-Pakistan joint anti-terrorism training will be held on November 14-27, 2011 in Pakistan.

This joint training will be conducted in six steps, namely "intelligence and information exchange, long range manoeuvre, establishment of a joint command structure, adaptability training, comprehensive training, and theoretical discussions".

A total of 260 Chinese troops, including special force and some army aviation helicopters, as well as some transport aircraft of the Air Force of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to be responsible for transport support tasks, participate in the training.

A total of 230 Pakistani troops, including special force and some helicopters and fighter jets, participate in the training.

This is the 4th anti-terrorism joint training to be held by the Chinese and Pakistani armies with the aim to improve the two militaries’ capability to jointly deal with non-traditional security threats.

2011-11-15(China Military News cited from dnaindia.com and by Bidanda Chengappa)

Controversy characterises the reported presence of China’s People’s Liberation Army troops in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Pakistan Army brigadier Masood Ahmed, chief of staff, earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation authority, coordinates 14 projects in which China has invested more than $6 billion. China’s expanding military footprint in PoK attracts attention as Beijing has virtually taken over the entire disputed region in Kashmir under the guise of reconstruction and rehabilitation after the 2005 earthquake that hit the region.

A seminar held at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Washington DC, in January highlighted that Chinese construction and telecommunication companies have obtained contracts to expand the Karakoram highway, construct tunnels and mega dams at Diamayar Bhasa, Bunji and Skardu. But from an environmental perspective these Chinese developmental projects have the potential to induce seismic activity and submerge hundreds of villages and historic heritages.

Moreover, diversion tunnels are bound to create instabilities from mountain wall under cutting. The recessional moraines (loose debris) and material left by retreating glaciers are inherently unstable and prone to rock wall collapses. Collateral damage across the region will be devastating and therefore the issue also merits attention, according to the seminar proceedings.

Reputed Pakistani journalist Amir Mir has revealed that China now seeks to establish military bases in the Af-Pak region, where US troops are deployed. These Chinese military bases are to be established in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas or in Gilgit-Baltistan, a region that borders China and has traditionally been considered part of Jammu & Kashmir.

From an Indian security perspective, Chinese military presence in PoK has political as well as military implications, considering J&K is a disputed territory. The Sino-Pakistan collaboration underway through infrastructure development projects in Gilgit-Baltistan clearly challenges India’s sovereignty over those J&K territories under China’s occupation.

Logically, therefore, such a Chinese position vis-à-vis PoK complicates any future moves towards settlement of the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan. The Sino-Pak relationship also threatens India with a potential two-front theatre in the event of war with either country. Moreover, Beijing also welcomes tensions in the New Delhi-Islamabad relationship so as to confine India to South Asia. In turn, this curtails Indian ability to engage China elsewhere and ensures that New Delhi remains bogged down in the region — unable to extend its footprint globally.

Clearly, China’s strategy to establish military presence in PoK goes back to the construction of the Karakoram highway which commenced in 1959 and ended in 1979. The highway, connecting China and Pakistan at an altitude of 4,693 m, is referred to as the ‘Ninth Wonder of the World’.

What is the Chinese strategic rationale to establish military bases in Pakistan? Evidently, the Chinese strategy is to get access to the Arabian Sea and similar to US military presence in the Af- Pak region, to curb Islamic fundamentalism that threatens the stability and security of Xinjiang. The PLA aims to effectively counter the Muslim separatists based in FATA who undertake cross-border terrorist operations in Xinjiang. Amir Mir says the Chinese intentions are to contain the growing terrorist activities of the Chinese rebels belonging to the al-Qaeda-linked East Turkestan Islamic Movement. The Chinese Muslim rebels want the creation of an independent Islamic state and are allegedly being trained in Pakistan’s tribal areas. Otherwise, Chinese strategic interests in the region are to eventually extend its economic linkages to West Asia through the Pakistani port of Gwadar in Balochistan province.

Today, Chinese involvement in Gilgit-Baltistan transcends diplomatic and military support to Pakistan, and as Beijing gradually entrenches itself in PoK, Pakistan would perhaps allow China to assume a greater role in the Kashmir dispute. Clearly, the Chinese role today in PoK suggests a shift in Beijing’s policy on the Kashmir dispute in favour of Pakistan.

Till now, the Sino-Pakistan military relationship was confined to arms transfers or joint development of weapon systems, which implied an indirect Chinese threat posed through Pakistan to India. But now with Chinese military presence in Pakistan, this amounts to a direct potential threat to India. Evidently, a Chinese presence evokes broader security concerns with regional and extra-regional ramifications.

Now India not only has to cope with the massive development of Chinese military infrastructure along the 4,057-kilometer long Line of Actual Control — especially in the Tibet Autonomous Region— but also a Chinese military presence along the volatile 778-kilometer-long Line of Control between India and Pakistan that re-aligns the strategic environment in South Asia.

The writer teaches a course on strategic studies at Christ University, Bangalore