The last issue of the year is the Navy Day special to commemorate the Navy’s spectacular show at Karachi harbour in the 1971 war. We, at FORCE, look forward to bringing out this issue because it is always different from what other magazines do. Since FORCE started in August 2003, the Navy Day issue has been unique; besides interviews with the CNS and other senior naval officers, our teams visit various naval installations. For us, bringing the navy to our readers means telling them first-hand about our ships, submarines, aviation assets, aircraft carrier and the challenges that officers who manage them face. All this is done without compromising operational security; we ensure that sensitive articles are cleared by the navy before publication. The Navy Day 2009 in your hands is unlike what we have done so far. As the Navy decided that the media, including FORCE, is no longer a ‘force multiplier’, we were denied all that we did in the past. Though disappointed, this spurred us to take a closer look at the shipbuilding industry. The result of our meetings with the leading PSU and private shipyards was encouraging; there is simply too much potential locked within the country that needs to be harnessed. Warship building is the sunrise industry where major global players are ready to grab opportunities, and Indian industry is keen to acquire expertise and technology to make better ships in less time.

Our other feature is a comprehensive report on the just concluded Dubai Air Show. Despite its dire financial woes, the authorities did their best to ensure that gloom stayed away from the show. Back home, CAPS, under the tested guidance of Air Cmde Jasjit Singh held the 4th energising Indian aerospace meet. We hope that readers will find both features on aerospace of value and interest. This issue also brings an exclusive interview with the UK defence procurement minister. He spoke at length about bilateral procurement issues between India and the UK. Last, but not least, we bring an incisive analysis on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s state visit to the US. The writer, Kanwal Sibal, a former foreign secretary, concluded that the visit was high on show and less on substance. Maybe, symbolism matters when the two countries are still testing waters and wondering about the nature of the partnership. In addition, we bring the usual feature on industry news. Happy reading and wishing a better 2010 to our readers.