Centre for Air Power Studies (India)
Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS) is an autonomous defence research and analysis body for studies, research and focused analyses of issues related to national security, defence, and aerospace issues in the evolving strategic and international security environment. It was established in 2001 with the objective to facilitate greater understanding of the above mentioned issues amongst the Armed Forces, the public and also improve policy generation and decision-making through research in such vital fields.[1]
Founder Director General
Late Air Commodore Jasjit Singh AVSM, VrC, VM (Retd.) was its founder Director General.[2][3]
Current Director General
The current Director General is Air Marshal Vinod Patney, SYSM, PVSM, AVSM, VrC (Retd).[4] Commissioned in 1961 in the fighter stream, Air Marshal Patney is a graduate of the Royal Air Force Staff College and a founder member of the Tactics & Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE). During his long and illustrious career he held various Command and Staff appointments which include Air Officer Commanding of Jammu & Kashmir, Air Officer Commanding Air Defence Control Centre and Senior Air Staff Officer at Western Air Command Headquarters, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Air Command and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command. On 06 April 2000, Air Marshal Vinod Patney was decorated with the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal (SYSM) for leading the Indian Air Force in the Kargil war, which ultimately proved to be the turning point in Operation Vijay. He was the first officer of the IAF and the sole recipient of the SYSM. He thus became the most decorated serving officer in all three services.[5]
About
CAPS is governed by a non profit, non governmental trust called Forum for National Security Studies. The Board of Trustees is headed by MK Rasgotra, former Foreign Secretary. Capt. Ajay Singh, NN Vohra, Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi, Shri Sanjaya Baru, and Air Marshal Vinod Patney are other members of the trust.[6]
CAPS faculties have expertise in various aspects of security and defence domains and they carry quality research work in analysing the complex trends in modern warfare. The scholars of the centre are a mixture of personnel from Armed Forces (both serving & Retd), Ex-foreign service, and Young academicians.[7]
See also
- Indian Air Force
- Centre for Land Warfare Studies
- National Maritime Foundation
- Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
- United Service Institution