Air Power in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific

This book examines the security dynamics of the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific, concentrating upon an analysis and evaluation of the air power capabilities of the various powers active in the two regions. The volume is designed to help improve understanding of the heritage and contemporary challenges confronting the global community in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific, as well as to illuminate the policies of the various powers involved in the affairs of these regions, and the military capabilities that are available in support of those policies. The 16 individual chapters examine both the traditional and the non-traditional threats that confront the various Indian Ocean and Western Pacific powers, and assess the roles played by land-based and naval, fixed-wing and rotary-wing, manned and unmanned aircraft, as well as by offensively and defensively capable ballistic and cruise missiles in addressing these challenges. In doing so, the various chapters analyze and evaluate the air power doctrine, capabilities, deployment patterns, and missions of the respective states. In addition, they assess the future issues, challenges, and responses involving air power as it, acting in concert with other military instruments, seeks to contribute to securing and promoting the interests of the state. This book will be of much interest to students of air power, strategic studies, Asian and Middle Eastern politics, and International Relations.

Howard M. Hensel is Professor of Strategy at the Air War College, USA. His previously published books include Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific (2018) and Naval Powers in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific (2018).

Introduction Howard M. Hensel Part I: The Global Powers 1. Russia Alexey Muraviev and Alexandr Burilkov 2. The People's Republic of China Xiaoming Zhang 3. The United States Rebecca Grant 4. The European Powers Douglas Carl Peifer Part II: The Western Pacific 5. North Korea Daniel A. Pinkston 6. South Korea Kevin Madden 7. Japan John F Bradford and Bret Perry 8. Southeast Asia Maria Ortuoste and Zenel Garcia 9. New Zealand Carol Abraham Part III: The Eastern Indian Ocean and the Indian Sub-Continent 10. The Eastern Indian Ocean Richard Bitzinger 11. India Harish Masand 12. Pakistan Kaiser Tufail Part IV: The Western Indian Ocean 13. Iran David D. Palkki, Colonel Steven L. Watts, II, and Lt. Col. William C. Tatum 14. The Gulf Cooperation Council Joseph Kechichian 15. The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden Asher Orkaby 16. South Africa Theo Neethling Conclusion Howard M. Hensel