CATEGORIES

BEYOND VIKRANT

While India is about to commission its second naval carrier, INS Vikrant, the Indian Navy needs a large number of naval shipborne unmanned aerial systems and military facilities in friendly countries to deal with China in the Indo-Pacific, argues GIRISH LINGANNA

SECURITY COOPERATION IN INDIA'S ACT EAST POLICY

VAISHALI BASU SHARMA analyses the evolution and progress of defence diplomacy in Southeast Asia

POLICE MODERNISATION: AN URGENT NEED OF THE HOUR

At a time when India is facing significant internal security threats at the sub-conventional level, it is time to reshape the strategic dynamics by modernising the central and state police forces, explains AMARTYA SINHA

DOES INDIA REQUIRE A CDS?

The delay in appointing a successor to late Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, has given rise to many questions, writes VENUGOPAL MENON

FIGHTING AFTER DUSK

There is an urgent need to enhance and upgrade the current night-fighting capabilities of the Indian armed forces, especially that of the Indian Army's regular as well as special forces units, which are currently equipped with highly outdated second-generation night vision equipment, writes AMARTYA SINHA

SMILING INFECTIOUSLY THROUGH ADVERSITY

RAJ MEHTA argues that as a writer of military issues for years it is his firm conviction that lay readers if better informed about the terrain, climate, habitat, culture and historicity of the place of the incident being covered often understand the subject much better. They develop deep empathy and bonding with the soldiers who took part in the incident. They also develop insight about soldiering than is available in a straitjacketed linear narration. At a time when a techno savvy Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) is globally underway, such narration becomes all the more important. This is because it reveals the formidable challenges encountered by soldiers and need for team spirit and cohesion that soldiers seek in crunch situations when lives are at stake. That it takes years for such camaraderie and mutual trust to develop is what soldiering is all about. This narration of a grim accident along with its attendant bravery and follow-up follows the above-stated format

COMING OF AGE

Though it has a chequered past and critics talk of an uncertain future, the Tejas programme is moving forward slowly and steadily, write ARITRA BANERJEE and SHREYA MUNDHRA

Smart And Lethal Weapons: A New India In The Making

Indian military decision-makers need smart and high-precision weapons that provide them the confidence that when used, they will be able to hit the hostile targets very hard with extreme lethality, but cause minimum collateral damage in the process.

HELIRUSSIA-2022 - NEW AND UPGRADED MACHINES ON SHOW

At HeliRussia-2022 in Moscow, Rosoboron export not only unveiled new products to the world, but also declared its vision for the future by setting the standards very high in terms of export targets. A report

INCREASING THREATS FROM SPACE DEBRIS

What constitutes space debris and how are they categorised? What are the physical and legal implications of space debris hitting on Earth? How would these incidents affect the already sour relations between India and China?

MOBILITY SOLUTIONS FOR THE INDIAN ARMY

While the Indian Army has a significantly large fleet of trucks and utility vehicles, there is a need to further augment the capabilities by adding latest platforms with better fuel-efficiency, faster speeds, larger wheelbases and enhanced axle-load bearing capacities.

NON-CONTACT STEALTH NAVAL COMBAT PLATFORMS

A strong submarine force is a necessity India cannot afford to ignore. We need to be prepared for challenges which are staring at us, writes Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha (retd.)

INTEGRATION OF FUTURISTIC TECH IN DEFENCE MANUFACTURING

VAISHALI BASU SHARMA argues that for a viable ecosystem for futuristic technologies, the gaps between research in the emerging technology domain and its commercial and industrial applications need to be bridged

GLOBAL REALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC INCLUSIVITY

Can Quad and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) shape global realignment, drive the world as engine of economic growth, and overcome the deficiency of present ineffective global governance system? Is it going to evolve towards a genuine multipolar global system with the democratic countries leading, or will continue to be dominated by the United States? Is India ready to take the opportunity provided by Quad to leapfrog its technologicalmilitary capabilities and enhance its economic power to be engine of economic growth in the Indian Ocean region and world at large?

AN UNCHARTED ODYSSEY

The proposed scheme of Tour of Duty is a radical measure, which should be tempered with ground realities and pragmatism

CHOOSING AN ‘AIRCRAFT' FOR THE CARRIER

Two Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets are presently in Goa for trials at the Indian Navy’s Shore-Based Test Facility (SBTF) to demonstrate their compatibility and suitability to operate from Indian aircraft carriers. The demonstration is ongoing and will conclude this month. French Dassault Aviation has already demonstrated the compatibility of its Rafale-M jet in January.

BRAHMOS: THE GAMECHANGER

India’s best known supersonic cruise missile can be a great instrument of military diplomacy for its immense export potential in Asian markets

UDA Framework For Sustainable Blue Economy

The pooling of resources and synergising of efforts, enumerated as the core value of the UDA framework, can effectively manage the challenges and opportunities of the tropical littoral waters of the Indo-Pacific region, explains ARNAB DAS

The Return To 'Purana Pakistan'

Pakistan has now a new government. But, will Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif be able to meet the challenges that the country faces? D Suba Chandran is not so sure in his answers

How Prepared Is India For A Cyberwar?

In order to retain a competitive national security advantage, there has to be coordinated endeavour of the government and the private sector to work on cyber security and Al (artificial intelligence) technologies, argues VAISHALI BASU SHARMA

SAPPERS FINALLY ARRIVE

UTKARSH SINGH RATHORE dispels the scepticism about the new Army Chief of India that he is not suitable for the job because of his background as an officer from the Corps of Engineers

INDIGENOUS COMBAT JETS: THE FUTURE UNFOLDS

India is poised to build a robust defence industrial base for manufacturing cutting-edge aerial combat platforms and turbofan engines in the country. The time to act is now, argues AMARTYA SINHA

CHINA'S BRI DEBT TRAP: SRI LANKAN ECONOMY IN COLLAPSE

How the collapse of Sri Lankan economy is turning into a political crisis? What is it that has led to the current collapse of Sri Lankan economy? In what way is China's Belt & Road Debt Trap (BRDT) connected with it? What are the possible solutions to the economic crisis that resulted in political crisis? In what way, if any, could India be of help to Sri Lanka, if only to overcome the current multiple crises? VIJAY KUMAR KAUL answers

DEFENCE INDUSTRIAL CORRIDORS DESERVE HONEST APPRAISAL

AMIT COWSHISH explains how after more than four years of the government decision, the impact of the DICs on defence production remains hazy

BOOSTING MARITIME SECURITY

India needs to think of how to integrate the armed services in a national maritime policy and to work with friendly neighbours in a broader IOR context

Decoding Russia's Digital Offensive

When Russia invaded Ukraine more than a month ago, it was feared that there would be massive cyber-attacks on Ukraine and its supporters, including the NATO powers led by the United States. But such is the situation today that it is Russia that is complaining of being the target of cyber offensives.

AN ATMANIRBHAR CARBINE: MSMC (JVPC) IS READY FOR INDUCTION INTO THE INDIAN ARMY

In a major leap forward in the domain of infantry modernisation, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has declared that a carbine, jointly developed by its Pune-based facility and the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), has completed its final phase of user trials by the Indian Army and is ready for induction.

EMERGENCY PROCUREMENTS FILLING UP THE GAPS

Threatened by a hostile China on its borders, India has taken a wholesome approach towards military modernisation through urgent procurement of cutting-edge weapon systems and advanced platforms.

ANDAMAN & NICOBAR COMMAND: SENTINEL OF THE EAST

Before migrating into the theatre command concept, it would be worthwhile to study the shortfalls experienced by the Tri-Services Command in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and make good the deficiencies. The rejuvenated Tri-Services Command could then be graduated into a full-fledged theatre command by ploughing in additional resources, carrying out course corrections and expanding the role.

INCONGRUITY OF AMERICAN ARMS SALES TO EAST EUROPEAN NATIONS

VAISHALI BASU SHARMA explains how massive American arms sales to East European countries, including Ukraine, outweigh any security or economic benefits they produce