Enigma Solution

  On 27th Feb 2022, the European Union imposed sanctions on Russia and asked Aircraft leasing companies to terminate their contracts with Russia. According to industry sources, Russia has 980 commercial aircraft in operation, of which 777 are leased aircraft. Of those, 515 are rented from foreign firms, with a majority coming from Ireland-based companies. These aircraft are at present valued at US$ 12 billion. Since Russia and Europe have divorced from one another and have broken most ties, it is an impossible task to get Russia which is part of the Cape Town Convention that makes it easier for lessors to repossess leased aircraft, to cooperate. To make matters worse, EU has closed its airspace to Russian airlines and Russia has responded by banning European airlines from entering its airspace. So even if by a stroke of great luck, the European aircraft lessors are able to obtain the support of the Russian State to repossess the aircraft, they would not be able to fly them out beca...

T here is much discussion and some implementation in augmentation of India's security by acquiring 148 fighter aircraft for her needs. Every aircraft manufacture in the world wants as big a slice of this great business opportunity this  order represents.    The American Company (Lockheed Martin), has offered to jointly produce its famous F-16 fighter plane locally in India. The offer is being examined by experts and bureaucrats.  What caught my interest was, the history behind,  how this aircraft was developed? Why it was the most advanced and yet competitive aircraft of its time? Why was it a winner? What are the lessons that can be learnt, by leaders, managers etc.? _______ The history of the development of the F-16 program is a fascinating one, full of intrigue for   the program was destined to be killed. The story begins with the father of the F15 and F-16 fighter aircraft program, Air Force Col. John Boyd, who had served with distincti...

Tata Motors the 314th largest company in the world, acquired  UK based Jaguar Land Rover PLC from Ford Motor Company in June 2008 for $ 2.3 Billion (Rs 14,000 Crores). Soon after the acquisition was completed, Mr. Ratan Tata the head of Tata group called for a meeting in London to be attended by all the key persons of JLR. JLR is a premium luxury  car manufacturer and 45 of the top executives of all the plants, and markets came to London, either in the company's own private jets or chartered aircraft to attend. A rather extravagant expenditure. Mr. Ratan Tata, on the other hand, took a commercial flight from Mumbai to London. He then took a taxi from Heathrow airport to the office of JLR. People at JLR were astonished. How could such a big man, be so simple and unassuming? The meetings took place without Mr. Tata mentioning the lavish style of management, and unnecessary wastage of money. Many people earn money only to squander it, they may be ric...