Another year has gone and FORCE is now a strapping six-year-old. The temptation to look back and pat ourselves is great but even greater is the need to resist and look ahead. In the last six years we had striven for and have succeeded in striking a decent balance between the Indian armed and Para-military forces, and the defence industry. The idea was to be an interface between the user and the provider. FORCE is grateful for the support from both.

Looking ahead, the cover of our sixth anniversary special issue says: Changed War. It is not a mere catch phrase that we have put to attract attention. For the last few months, in fact, since the November 26 attacks in Mumbai, FORCE has observed and deliberated upon the way India-Pakistan ties have been shepherded by the US. The crowning glory of the changing equation was the joint statement by the two prime ministers at Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt that redefined war for India. This, FORCE believes, will have far-reaching consequences, especially when India faces threats both inside and outside the country.

Terrorism within the country is no longer a fringe, sporadic activity, but a well-thought out and timed war. Internal and external security have merged as a seamless whole and needs to be countered as such. The exhaustive cover story covers various dimensions of national security, including maritime as well as Naxalism. The FORCE arguments are supported by interviews with the Chiefs of the three armed forces and the DGs and the ADG of the Indian Coast Guard, BSF and the CRPF respectively. Our position is not alarmist, but it sure deserves serious consideration. We also bring you reports on capabilities required by the three defence services.

From this issue onwards, Kanwal Sibal, a member of the National Security Advisory Board and a former foreign secretary joins us as Foreign Affairs editor. The recently retired Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major has agreed to be our Aerospace editor. With Admiral Arun Prakash as Maritime and Strategic Affairs editor, who compels the readers to put on their thinking caps with his thought-provoking articles, and Brig. Arun Sahgal as Land Forces editor, FORCE now proudly boasts of a team of thinking people who will ensure that our esteemed readers never have an opportunity to complain of stale ideas and dull writing.

FORCE had an opportunity to visit the Eurofighter facilities in Germany as well as the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford in the UK. The special report highlights the Eurofighter pitch for the IAF MRCA competition. We have another show report of IMDS in St Petersburg, which once again highlights how India continues to dominate international defence exhibitions.
Keep the good wishes coming! Enjoy the issue.