BOOK-REVIEWSPACE: THE FRONTIERS OF MODERN DEFENCEIn spite of the prevailing information deluge, authentic
information on military space activities and affairs is extremely scarce. Most available literature on the internet or otherwise is either highly speculative, or overwhelmingly American in character or else so technologically inclined that one expends enormous effort and patience in sustaining interest beyond the first few chapters. The above book coming from India’s leading expert on military space; Squadron Leader KK Nair of the Indian Air Force does enormous justice in addressing all the above aspects. It simplifies an extremely complicated subject and clarifies perceptions as never before. For a change, it provides a balanced perspective and analyses of the entire matter leaving overall judgement to the reader rather than sermonising on fears of militarization and weaponisation. The author starts off by acquainting the reader with the evolution of space from its early days of rocketry to its present avatar as an enabler of military force enhancer. In characteristic military style, the role of space in enabling modern war-fighting are initially explored followed by an exposition of the civilian and commercial uses of space in enabling a “revolution in civil affairs” in addition to the enormously glamorous yet absent “revolution in military affairs”. Rather than parroting the usual stuff on military utility of space, the author comprehensively explores the practical applicability of space for military purposes for nations with nascent capabilities. The author breaks new ground by also placing the subject of military utility in the context of prevailing laws and legalities and the complexities of the issues dealt with are truly outstanding. Far more brilliant, path breaking and revealing is the examination of military space programmes of Asian nations. Unlike most information and analyses which tends to rely enormously on speculation and credulous reports, the author bases his analyses on the firm edifice of data and statistics. In spite of the above, the overall judgement is left to the reader and sermonising is mercifully avoided. The book comes up with strikingly thought provoking and workable suggestions on the military uses enabled by space not at the cost of civilian space programmes but as an adjunct to it.Descriptively; the first chapter traces the evolution of space for military purposes, examines the use of space in recent conflicts and throws up an interesting comparison of a variety of military operations conducted with and without space systems. The second chapter is immensely revealing in that it acquaints one with the “Revolution in Civil Affairs” ongoing in the civilian space community for quite some time, the developmental and commercial gain etc. The third chapter is of enormous importance in that it convincingly clarifies the concept of aerospace as never before. The next chapter is a comprehensive examination of prevailing military space theories and doctrines; a relatively drab subject as per popular perception, the author scores here with his deft handling of the subject and actually succeeds in making it enormously interesting. This is followed by an examination of military space programmes within Asia. The above is an eye-opener and with regards to China’s space militarization; distinctly ominous. The author very convincingly exposes the hypocrisy and double standards of international non-proliferation activists in his examination of military space programme. The remaining two chapters actually propose a workable model for implementation. The model is outstanding in its originality. The model proposed for creating the leadership to deal with integrating space into the military is especially note worthy.Nevertheless, while the contents are above board, the book could certainly do with better quality proof reading. While the footnotes and references are comprehensive, the lack of an end-page bibliography is conspicuous by its absence. The book is also neither dedicated to anybody nor does it acknowledge thanks to anyone as is the norm. The above minor aberrations notwithstanding, the book is a pleasure to read. Enormously informative and interesting, very deftly handled. Surprisingly, in spite of being in the genre of non-fiction, the book is enormously fast paced.Ed Burnett