Kishore Kumar Khera replies: Close Air Support (CAS) is one of the important facets of combat air operations in which air support is provided to surface combatants in close combat. With greater battlespace transparency and enhanced range and accuracy of surface and air-delivered munitions, the surface combat sphere has expanded. This has resulted in a larger distance between opposing surface combatants as a rule. Consequently, there is a lower need for classic close air support missions.

Gp Capt Kishore Kumar Khera VM (Retd.) replies: A combat aircraft with medium to long range and heavy weapon delivery capability can be classified as a strategic bomber. In the aftermath of World War II and seeing the efficacy of bombing missions, a large number of countries with adequate resources developed or procured aerial platforms in this class. However, currently, only the US, Russia and China have credible strategic bombers and that too in limited numbers.

Amit Cowshish replies: The initiative to engage with the academia in the field of defence R&D must come from the private and public sector defence industry, acting in tandem with the armed forces and the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO). This also requires an overarching organisation to coordinate the efforts. On the face of it, there are three specific areas for potential collaboration.

Kishore Kumar Khera replies: Air Defence Zone, more commonly known as Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), is a segment of air space in which entry and subsequent air operations are permitted only after specific authorisation by the controlling Air Defence Authority. Air space over territory, including territorial waters, of a state, is the ADIZ controlled by its armed forces.

Kishore Kumar Khera replies: Military aviation, like any other technology-intensive field, continuously evolves. Although a classic definition of various generations of combat aircraft does not exist but based on the core capabilities, it is broadly classified.