Manoj
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Manoj
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Ancient Indian Cosmology (Info courtesy Ancient Indian UFO)
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| Pic courtesy-Ancient Indian UFO |
"Long before it became a scientific aspiration to estimate the age of the earth, many elaborate systems of the world chronology had been devised by the sages of antiquity. The most remarkable of these occult time-scales is that of the ancient Hindus, whose astonishing concept of the Earth's duration has been traced back to Manusmriti, a sacred book."
When the Hindu calculation of the present age of the earth and the expanding universe could make Professor Holmes so astonished, the precision with which the Hindu calculation regarding the age of the entire Universe was made would make any man spellbound.
(source: Hinduism and Scientific Quest - By T. R. R. Iyengar p. 20-21).
Ancient Indian Science of Voice, Vocal and Music (Info courtesy Ancient Indian UFO)
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| Pic courtesy : Ancient Indian UFO |
#Sound_as_the_Source_of_Cr
In India, music is considered as a subtle divine thread capable of linking the Jeevatman (individual soul) with the Parmatman (Supreme Soul), a concept originating in the Tantric idea of Sabdabrahman, the primeval source of creation. This idea finds expression in the eloquent words of the renowned violinist Yehudi Menuhin, ‘Indian music reflects Indian life having no predetermined beginning or end but flowing without interruption through the fingers of the composer-performer.’
To fully understand the beauty, depth and elevating qualities of Indian music, one must therefore understand, if not experience, these concepts at least to some extent.
It is believed that the Supreme Being is of the nature of Sabdabrahman or Nadabrahman. This Ultimate Sound Principle gets manifested as its vibrations. Through the Samyoga and Viyoga i.e. the union and separation of these vibrations, Sabdabrahman creates the world of ‘forms’, from the sub-atomic to the biggest and the mightiest! The entire cosmos is the manifestation of Sabdabrahman. That being so, in uniting the entire creation, lies ‘Naada’. As the Naada evolves, differentiates and expands from the subtle to the gross, it gives rise to articulate sounds- ‘Varnas’, ‘Srutis’ and ‘Swaras’ – and moves on to create ‘Ragas’, capturing the ‘Bhavas’ (moods) of the mind. From Varnas arise by permutations and combinations, the world of ‘forms’.
Today scientific substantiation of these concepts has been forthcoming through the experimental demonstration that different geometrical figures can be produced by manipulating sound! That means it is possible to reduce all ‘physical forms’ to ‘sound forms’ and vice-versa. In other words, form is sound made manifest. According to the Tantras there are 50 basic sounds out of which the world of forms has come into being.
#Classification_of_Sound
Nowhere in the world has the science of Sound and Music been studied so deeply and exhaustively as in ancient India. Panini, Patanjali, Bhartruhari, Nandikeswara, Anjaneya and Bharata are outstanding among those who have contributed to the unravelling of the mystery of sound, music and creation. The ‘Sabda’ itself is classified into Para, Pashyanti, Madhyama and Vaikhari.
1.The grossest of these four is Vaikhari, the dense audible sound.
2. Madhyama is the stage where thought takes the form of sound or word.
3. Pashyanti is the preceding stage where ‘thought’ assumes a ‘form’ where sound vibration becomes ‘visible’ in the mind. At that stage, there is no impress of language on the form. That is, here the barrier of language has no meaning.
4. Beyond it lies the subtlest, highest and most transcendental stage of Para where neither thought, nor names nor forms find a place, as there are neither waves nor wavelengths there. It is the ultimate unifying substratum – the undifferentiated, yet potential sound of Sabdabrahman. This is the stage of Godhead – sans thought, sound or form, the goal of deep meditation.
No wonder that such a concept and understanding of music developed into a form of worship (Nadopasana) and has carried many on its wings to self-unfoldment and merger with the Ultimate Truth or Parabrahman. From the unmanifest to the manifest, from the manifest to the unmanifest, thus goes the cycle of Naada (sound), stretching from Eternity to Eternity – linking everything without any distinction of desa-kala-nama-roopa (place, time, name, form). Only in the land of Nataraja (cosmic dancer; Shiva), Saraswati (goddess of learning), the Veena (stringed musical instrument), Murali (flute), could such a sublime concept have been conceived, creating a vibrant life, science and tradition in music.
Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa had beautiful visions bearing on this principle. He used to see a long white thread proceeding out of himself.
‘This mass would open and within it he would see the Mother with a Veena. Then, she would begin to play and as she played he would see the music turning into birds and animals and worlds and arrange themselves. Then she would stop playing and they would all disappear. The light would grow less and less distinct till it was just a luminous mass, the string would grow shorter and shorter and the whole world would be absorbed into himself again.’
What an incomparable vision! A condensed drop of the entire philosophy of sound and music.
Our ancient seers living in communion with Nature must have ‘seen’ and heard the music in myriad ways and forms. In the rising sun, in the light of the stars, in the heights of the snow-clad Himalayas, in the thick forests, in the thundering clouds, in the gurgling Ganges – in the cries of birds and animals, in the blooming of flowers, dropping of petals, ripening and sweetening of fruit, in birth, growth and decay of created beings, anywhere and everywhere, they would have felt the resonance of the one Naada. Capturing this music in Nature, they must have felt their souls ringing in harmony with them and instinctively realised the same Naada vibrating within them. With joy and thrill, they must have picked up the basic notes and built around them their grand repertoire:
SA -from the cry of the peacock with its two sounds of lower and higher pitches
RE -from the cry of the bull
GA-from that of a goat
MA-from the cry of the Krauncha bird
PA-from the voice of the Koel in spring
DHA- from the neighing of the horse, and
NE-from the cry of the elephant.
It is said that Lord Shiva in his cosmic dance produced from his Damaru various types of sounds and the great saint, Patanjali, grasped them in his Maheshwara Sutras and explained the formation of the universe. According to this view, the origin of the 7 basic notes can be traced back to Shiva.
According to some others, the 7 keynotes, which form the units of music all over the world, personify 7 levels of human consciousness. Out of this consciousness springs forth the stream of life, essentially consisting of one’s aspirations to reach that sanctum of happiness, bliss and fulfilment within. In a particular direction, it is called music, in another, dance, in a third, painting, in a fourth, poetry. But among all the fine arts, the finest is indeed music. One, who has understood Naada as the very basis of music, realises it as the subtlest of vibrations, which forms the life-current in each and every cell in his body. It is this omnipresent Naada, which, following particular rhythms, curves and waves, flows through our life, enriching us with experiences. If one tries to discover it within and manifest it without, it becomes the fittest musical instrument in the hands of the Supreme and his life itself turns into a music with a rare melody of tune and rhythm.
The study of Indian music has its own practical lessons to impart to our every day life. To learn music is a discipline in itself, controlling one’s body, breath, voice, one’s very nature itself. In childhood, learning music helps one to develop a rhythm and order in his daily activities. Through Upasana of naada, he catches glimpses of the unity in diversity. In the second stage, by enriching the Bhavana (feeling) in the music, one can control and sublimate the emotions of the mind. As the evening of life approaches, music turns into a source of peace and joy. Equanimity and tranquillity of mind come as by-products of an advanced musical mind. If one is a true Upasaka (earnest student), before long, from the outer music he will turn towards the inner and start enjoying the subtlest of music – the Anahata Naada, the soundless sound – in the innermost chamber of one’s heart. Thus, music can truly form the vehicle to take man from the gross to the subtle, from the finite to the infinite. As his life’s vibrations become attuned to the divine, his soul’s music reveals to him the music in the creation and of the creation. He finds the entire universe resounding with the Eternal notes – Soham Soham.
The chords of life can be tuned properly as in a musical instrument with self-effort. If one masters this art of tuning, and brings out the best of Swaras without any Apaswaras, then his life becomes attuned to the Supreme Music and he would sing the soul-stirring music of love, compassion and understanding.
Veenaavaadana tatwajnaha;
swarajnaana vishaaradah;
Talajnachaaprayatnena;
param brahmaadhigacchati
“One who plays the Veena with full knowledge of the basic principles of sound, the science of tune evolution and the beat of music could attain Parabrahman without much effort.”
There is no aspect of life where music cannot play its role. The soothing of the nerves and the calming of the mind that music brings about are marvellous. Just as a mother can sing her child to sleep through her lullabies, at every context in life, whether in the farms or factories, in games or studies, music can bring in a sense of unity and harmony. In India, we have established long long back, that through proper combinations of Swaras we can create Ragas, which have the capacity to call forth forces of Nature such as the rain, fire, etc. Stones can be melted, glass can be broken, and lamps can be lighted. Trees and plants can respond to the music of one who has attuned himself to the Eternal vibrations.
Today, Indian music has caught the attention of musicologists, scientists and other learned men. With more and more research in the field of Indian musicology, more and more hidden treasures are surfacing. In spite of all the ups and downs it has gone through the several centuries of its growth, Indian music has retained its highly aesthetic and elevating spirit and its unique individuality.
Rightly has Shakespeare said of music:
“The man that has no music in himself, nor is moved with sweet concord of sweet sound, is fit for treason, stratagems and spoils.”
Nearer home, we have the Lord Himself proclaiming:
Naaham vasaami Vaikunthe,
Na yogi hriday gaavati
Madbhakta yatra gaayanti
Tatra tishthami Naarada
“I dwell not in Vaikunth (heaven), nor in the hearts of Yogins, nor in the sun; but where my devotees sing, there, O Narada, do I reside.”
That is the uniqueness of Indian music. May that all-pervading Nadbrahman, remove all the Apaswaras (discordant tunes) from our lives and fill it with pleasing, unifying and harmonising Swaras so that the music of our lives may flow melodiously, taking us from untruth to Truth, from darkness to Light, from death to Immortality.
#AIUFO_Bonus
From the Mahabharata
Santi Parva, Section CLXXXIV
"I shall now tell thee the different kinds of sound. They are the seven original notes called Shadja, Rishabha, Gandhara, Mahdhyama, Panchama, Dhaivata and Nishada. these are the seven kinds of the property that appertains to space. Sound inheres like the Supreme Being in all space though attached especially to drums and other instruments. Whatever sound is heard from drums small and large, and conchs, and clouds, and cars, and animate and inanimate creatures, are all included in these seven kinds of sound already enumerated. Thus, sound, which is the property of space, is of various kinds. The learned have said sound to be born of space. When raised by the different kinds of touch, which is the property of the wind, it may be heard. It cannot, however, be heard, when the different kinds of touch are inceptive. The elements, mingling with their counterparts in the body, increase and grow. Water, fire, wind are always awake in the bodies of living creatures. They are the roots of the body. Pervading the five life-breaths (already mentioned) they reside in the body."
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Friday, December 27, 2013
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Monday, December 23, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Devyani Khobragade incident- The United States should tender unconditional apology
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| Pic courtesy- The Financial Express |
The Govt of India took the right step in taking a tough line and making the American govt understand their wrong doings. Nothing but an unconditional apology from the American govt will be acceptable for us Indians. better America take corrective steps before the relations with India gets strained for ever. Let it be the last time that such a thing happens anywhere and act as a reminder to the erring officers that their will be consequences for their reckless actions
Vante Mathram
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Monday, December 16, 2013
Ancient Indian Sciences- The Vimana
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| Pic Courtesy- Ancient Indian UFO |
The Vimana in Ancient India had great significance. It signifies the flying object and also the temple tower or gopura.
But the most common usage is that of the flying object much like the modern Airplane. There was the Vimana Shastra that was revealed that describes in detail about a flying object and the technology involved. Now the authenticity of a flying object in Indian Culture is a hotly contested subject in modern scientific fraternity. But one should not miss the fact that there lies a large similarity between the description of flying machines which carry "gods from stars" as described in many cultures from India to Egypt to the Maya, cultures that are separated by thousands of kilometers. How is that each civilization has their own description of a flying object. The most logical explanation is given by the Ancient Alien theorists who say that earth was visited by Aliens from another planets for millennium. The construction of huge structures including the Pyramids of Egypt that is geometrically precise or The Nasca lines of ancient Peru or the magnificent constructions of the Ancient Maya including the magnificent city of Palenque or the Pyramids of Tikal are the case in point. How is that ancient civilizations that did not have advanced construction technologies could construct such magnificent buildings. ancient theories contend that they had help from Aliens or advanced civilizations of other worldly origin. This theory even though dismissed by main stream scientists still has many takers with in the common man. Now the truth is hidden in the vast expanses of time and will only be revealed when the right time come. The question as to what happened to the long lost science and will we be able to rediscover the same will be revealed in times to come.
We will need to wait for the same and let time reveal the truth.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
2013 elections- The lessons that politicians must learn
Democracy is refered to as the best form of government in the world, a product of modern liberal thinking that has refined it from the days of ancient Greece (particularly Athens). It is s system wherein the people participate, electing their own government who return to them for re-election after a fixed time. But like any other system, democracy is also prone to decay and exploitation. The theoretical meaning of democracy is soon eroded with crooked politicians who take the common / citizen for a ride with many promises and after that he seldom cares about those who helped him come to power. Those are the times when anarchy sett in and there is a virtual change of government by the masses by exercising their ballot.
India is one of the largest and most functional democracy on the face of the earth. With power going all the way to the grass root level, each elections see active participation my millions of common man exercising their vote and electing their leaders. There has always been high turn out in all the elections. But like any other system, in recent times, Indian politics has been marred by divisions on the lines of religion and caste. Corruption has also become a serious issue in modern Indian politics.
The ideal image of an Indian politician is an opportunistic person who comes begging for votes at the time of elections, promising all sort of things and after he/she is elected, turns a blind eye to those who elected him until the next elections when he again makes an appearance. The Indian masses had been a quite spectator to this game. But over the years, the Indian politician has grown in arrogance and also has become a sort of omnipotent who claims himself to be even above the law. The Indian politician has sort of disconnected himself from the common man. This has led to a situation where in the political class has failed to read the mood of the nation and refused to understand what the common man wants. When asked, a politician sarcastically explained that this is how it is done in India and things will never change. But unknown to him change had been in the air for quite sometime.
India has changed a lot. Up to 1970's and say early 80's, there was not much of a media to speak off. There was the Dooradharshan and the AIR which invariably towed the line of the government. There was then the powerful print media which was independent but was lagged by penetration to the lower strata of the society due to less literacy among the masses. On those times, when a politician came and gave promises, it was believed by the masses and blindly voted for that person invariably to only be fooled. This was how it was and the politician was still living on those hay days. But times has changed.
The arrival of the television with their crop of news channels and the internet has changed the game. Now each and every move a politician make is closely followed and analysed by the media. Cases of corruption are instantly brought out, closely followed and made sure a justified end is ensured. Such has become the times. Transparency is the bussword these days. There is a social audit on every actions. The truth is that there cannot be any secrets. In that context should we analyse the election results in the 5 states. The UPA government has been riddled with one corruption case after another. There has been a paralysis of governance. Coupled with public anger over the deteriorating law and order situation, the people gave their verdict, but a verdict nobody expected. The first sign of change came from the massive protest that ensued after the Delhi rape. Such was the public out pour of anger that the government were left stunned. The question that was asked was what was happening? Why this sudden change?
The answer can be found very easily. Now with the new generation media like the facebook and other sites which brings together people from different and varied walks of life under one roof, thus entailing free exchange of idea. In such forums are the new India being made. The new generation demands transparency of governance, they demand that their voices be heard by those who elect them and they have a say in the governance. They demand an end to corruption and a sort of social audit to the actions of those who rule them. But the politician failed to understand the mood of the nation. They were still living in ancient times while the world is rapidly moving on with the advent of new technology which facilitated spreading and dissemination of news and information. That is truth behind the stunning victory of The Aam Aadmi Party. The verdict is not for any single party but for change. A change that has been long coming which India demands. Better the politician understands the same before it is too late and he is washed out and becomes antiquated and becomes the relic of old times.
It is time for newer government modes like the egovernence that brings power to the door step of common man and empowers him is adopted. That is what the country wants. The common man wants his voice to be heard, the voice that demands justice for the silent, where rule of law prevails and where India develops to be the most powerful country in the world, unhindered by the corrupt and the selfish politician. Better the political elite understand the same before it is too late.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Monday, December 09, 2013
Sunday, December 08, 2013
My favorite combat ships
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| INS Vikramaditya (Pic Courtesy Wikimedia) |
I had been giving a compilation of my favorite weapons. Last time I dealt with Combat Planes. This time I am choosing combat ships. Now there may be better ships currently in service, but I have chosen my favorite ones that is currently in service or which may enter services in the future. This is not a countdown but just my favorite. (Disclaimer: All details given under are available in public domain and repositories like Wikipedia. Sufficient care has been taken not reveal any classified data of any combatants in this article. Due care is taken for the same)
So here is my countdown:
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| USS Nimitz (Pic courtesy Wikimedia)
Nothing epitomizes the projection of power like an Aircraft Carrier. Aircraft Carriers allows rulers of a country to project their power in any part of the globe. Their are moving sovereign territory of a nation. Perhaps the most powerful class of the Aircraft Carriers in service today are the Nimitz Class. Displacing over 1 Lakh tonnes and carrying over 100 Air components and with over 5000 compliments of crew on board, they are virtually floating city projecting American power where ever they are called on to do so around the globe. With over 10 ships in active service, they have been part of every major conflict that America had been involved in and coming out with flying colours. Nuclear powered, they will see over 50 years of sevrice life to be replaced by more capable Gerald Ford Class Carriers in the future.
Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer ( Pic courtesy USN and Wikimedia)
Perhaps no other Destroyer in the modern times have been so successful. Built around the Aegis system, Arleigh Burke class are multi role ships equally capable of taking on targets in the surface, under the sea and in the air. Over 75 ships planned in it's production run, they are the most heavily armed Destroyers in modern times and has proved their mettle in all the major wars of modern times. To be succeeded by The Zumwalt Class, but the construction of the Zumwalt was restricted with the numbers of the Arleigh Burke being increased. That is a testament to the success of this venerable and the legendary class of the USN
Delhi Class Destroyer ( Image Courtesy Brain Burnell and Wikimedia)
Nothing epitomizes modern Indian ship building more than the Delhi Class of Destroyers. Built as a multi role combatants, Delhi Class has the ability to take on the enemy in surface, under water and on the air. Packed with weapons of both international and Indian origin , they hold true to the modern Indian Navy philosophy of having multi role and multi dimensional ships rather than ships with specialized roles. They are the largest combat ships to be designed and built in India but will soon be superseded by the Kolkota Class Destroyers. Having immense RCS reduction, these ships (3 in service) are highly capable and can even act as command ships. Lately, these class of ships has been active in all major exercises with major navies and has of late achieved legendary status.
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Shivalik Class Frigate (Pic courtesy USN by Mass communication
specialist 3'rd Class Christopher Farrington)
The first stealth ship class to be indigenously designed and built in India, these high capable and heavily armed ships can capable of undertaking targets in all three dimensions. They have been heavily involved in many international excises and are often seen as the projection modern Indian ship building capability. They along with Project-17 A Class frigate will be he mainstay of the Indian Navy for the first half of the 21'st century.
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Talwar Class Frigate( Pic Courtesy Wikimedia and the author)
Talwar calss are a class of highly capable frigates built by Russia for India incorporating high amount of Indian content. They are the derivative of Krivak-3 class of ships but heavily customized for India. They are capable of undertaking verity of targets in the subsurface and surface domain. With high amount of stealth to reduce Reader Cross Section (RCS), the Talwar class has undertaken commendable services including in the gulf of eden. They along with the Shivalik class forms the mainstay of the modern Indian navy.
INS Vikramaditya ( Pic courtesy Indian Navy)
INS Vikramaditya (R-33) is the newest addition to the Indian Navy. Kiev Class Cruiser, it was heavily modified which transformed it from a hybrid Aircraft Carrier/Cruiser to a pure Aircraft Carrier. Joining the Indian Navy in Dec, 2013, INS Vikramaditya is one of the most capable Aircraft Carriers in the world packed with latest radars and sensor suits and also having the MIG-29 K Aircrafts and Kamov Helicopters as it's mainstay. She is capable of power projection over a wide area and seas far away from our mainland and will be soon joined by the 1'st of the Vikrant class Aircraft Carriers being built at Cochin shipyard.
INS Viraat (Pic Courtesy www.navy. mil and Wikimedia)
INS Viraat (Ex HMS Hermes) is the flag ship of the Indian Navy. She as HMS Hermes had seen action in the Falklands before being bought by India and rechristened as INS Viraat. She has been part of all major excises especially with USN in the Malabar Series of excises. She has undergone major refittings which will see her in service by atleast 2017 by which time India would have two new Aircraft carriers in service. She is highly capable in undertaking both amphibious and air warfare with sea harrier jump jets as her mainstay. She is nearing her end of service life with her air component depleted with the sea harriers being retired or crashed and no longer operational. But she will always be in the annuals of the Indian navy as one of it's greatest ships.
INS Arihant (Pic Courtesy-Indian Government)
INS Arihant will be the first class of nuclear subs being developed by India. The first sub is undergoing sea trials. 4 to 8 will be built. Their main weapons will the "K" family of SLBM. Arihant will complete the nuclear triad for India. Being nuclear powered ,she can be deployed for months remaining undetected and with capability to launch nuclear weapons as and when required on the choice of India.
Even though there are other ships, I am concluding this part as I will try to incorporate more favorite ships in the second series which I hope to write in the near future.
(Disclaimer- All images shown above are the work of professionals and individuals whose copy right is acknowledged in this article. Unauthorized re-usage without acknowledging the real owner is against the law and is punishable as per the prevailing Copy Right Laws of your land. Viewers discretion is advised)
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Saturday, December 07, 2013
Flankers- The new threat to Australia ( Info courtesy Indian Military Page)
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| Royal Australian Air force (Pic Courtesy Wikimedia)
(This article had to be shared with my readers. This article was first published in the Indian Military Page in Facebook. The copy right is owned by the unknown author)
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Distance and the lack of long-range aircraft in the Southeast Asian air forces have for decades offered a sense of security to the Australians. But today that security is being eroded by the arrival of super-maneuverable aircraft like the Sukhoi 27 Flanker and Sukhoi 30 Flanker C. These combat jets have been inducted in large numbers in the air forces of China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.
The arrival of the Sukhois has evened the odds in the Asia Pacific theatre. Australian pilots, who considered themselves top guns flying their F-18 Hornet and F-111 Aardvark fighter bombers, now are having to faceoff with the Flankers that are superior in almost every aspect. According to Air Power Australia, “The acquisition of Russian designed Sukhoi Su-27SK and Su-30MK series fighters by most regional nations now presents an environment where the F/A-18A/B/F is outclassed in all key performance parameters by widely available fighters.”
Australia’s Defence Today magazine says, “From a strategic analysis perspective the acquisition of such advanced weapons by marginally stable nations such as Indonesia or other regional players should be of genuine concern – and this is aside from the staggering numbers being purchased by China. The threat equation (to Australia) is predicated on the presence of both capability and intent but, historically, the capability dimension has always been lacking – whatever regional intent toward Australia there may have been. However, this level of capability is changing with plans to buy advanced aircraft and weapons.”
It adds, “The arrival of long range weapons like the Sukhoi and its suite of modern missiles coincide with important and strategic economic developments in Australia’s north, presenting an entirely new strategic context to consider.”
Long legs ::
While the Flanker’s maneuverability – especially the Pugachev Cobra move – is legendary, it is the range of over 3000 km which gives the aircraft a decisive edge in aerial combat. This allows it to perform repeated probes and U-turns – a Cold War Russian tactic – that can leave its opponent disoriented and vulnerable in a dogfight. Chasing the Flanker would be one of the most hazardous jobs in aviation.
In fact, the Flanker’s incredible range can easily be doubled by aerial refuelling and it is conceivable that Indonesia, which is Australia’s No.1 bugbear, would one day acquire tanker aircraft. In the interim, the Indonesians pilots can extend their range through buddy refuelling, where half their Flanker fleet refuels the other half.
Missile threat ::
The Flankers are known to have 12 hard points – more than any other aircraft. This feature allows it to literally pack a lethal punch – an entire arsenal of missiles and smart bombs. The Russian weapons bureaus have developed a vast armada of air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles – including cruise – that in some cases have no equivalent in NATO armouries. The 94 Hornets in Australia’s air force are extremely vulnerable against the Flanker’s much superior beyond visual range missiles.
The Australians are also worried about the vulnerability of the gas platforms and industrial assets on their eastern seaboard. Defence Today elaborates: “From a weapon’s standpoint, a single supersonic Raduga 3M-82/Kh-41 Sunburn, MBRPA 3M-55/Kh-61 Yakhont or subsonic Novator 3M-54E1 Alfa anti-shipping cruise missile could effectively cripple if not destroy any of these large facilities in a single strike. These missiles were designed to cut small warships in half and inflict critical damage on large warships – and the sad history of industrial accidents and fires in petrochemical plants and offshore rigs suggests that even a single hit would be likely to start uncontrollable fires.”
US carriers – a big fat target ::
The arrival of the Flankers in the Asia Pacific has also increased the vulnerability of the United States’ nuclear powered aircraft carriers. The American military has wargamed situations where these massive CVNs go into battle against Sukhois armed with anti-ship cruise missiles, and the missiles have won every single time.
In the past these nuclear powered carriers, protected by a ring of support ships and AWAC aircraft, and of course their own fighter jets, were able to sail into any troublespot without fear. That’s history.
Today, any American carrier that attempts to come close to, say, China’s shores would be targeted by Flankers based on land, and firing their missiles from safe distances. As Defence Today quips, “The attackers then fly home and watch CNN for bomb damage assessment.”
Basically, the Flanker may have ended the era of American gunboat diplomacy.
Pilot skill ::
Australia’s air force is not big but it considers itself well-trained and butch, with pilots who like to think they are a bit like Maverick of Top Gun. They train according to Western standards and admittedly this can be a decisive factor in war. However, pilot skill, like modern hardware, can be imported too. India’s pilots, who are known to be among the world’s best, are now training Malaysia’s air force. The Chinese and the Indonesians too will find air aces to train their pilots.
F-35: Australia scoots for stealth ::
There is a reason why the Indian Air Force describes the Su-30 MKIs as its "Air Dominance Fighter". The aircraft is a generation ahead of any other aircraft – bar the stealth types – in the skies. The MKI version is actually superior to the Russian Air Force's own Flankers, which is a result of Russia's policy to provide its trusted customers with export versions that are half a generation ahead of its own base models.
As the realisation dawned on them that the Flanker had degraded their defensive and offensive capabilities, the Australians decided to go for the stealth option and placed an order for 100 units of the F-35 fighter. How will that decision impact the Flankers? Now, that’s an entirely different story.
Canberra needs a new strategy ::
Paul Keating, a former Australian prime minister, once said that Asia is a place to fly over en route to Europe. Robert Gordon Menzies, another Aussie premier, said about Southeast Asia and the South Pacific: “The risks in this corner of the world have increased.” That was at the height of the Vietnam War.
Clearly, Down Under they have learned nothing about mending fences. The country, which considers itself America’s local sheriff, has continued to distance itself from its emerging Asian neighbours. In effect, Australia has painted itself into a corner
Friday, December 06, 2013
Remembering Nelson Mandela, one of the greatest leaders of the the world may have ever seen
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| Nelson Mandela |
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| Nelson Mandela |
Mahatma. He went on to become the first black President of South Africa. Today when he left this world for the heavens, we the humanity has lost a noble soul , a great leader and one that will never be replaced.
I salute you sir for your life's work. May your soul rest peace.
Thursday, December 05, 2013
Monday, December 02, 2013
Sunday, December 01, 2013
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