CATEGORIES

ATMANIRBHAR IN EARNEST

Aero India was a homegrown affair with welcome signs of an indigenous defence manufacturing capability that is coming of age, writes C SANTHOSH

COUNTER-DRONE TECHNOLOGIES: NASCENT, BUT WITH ENORMOUS POSSIBILITIES

Designing and developing new countermeasures will require substantial investments, but they should not be hindrances in innovation, writes R CHANDRAKANTH

A US-INDIA MILITARY PARTNERSHIP SANS QUAD

Arguing that India cannot depend on the QUAD framework to deal with a Chinese threat, AMIT GUPTA suggests that a realistic workable alliance with the United States based on a fruitful weapons partnership between the two countries and the provision of military basing is a much better option for New Delhi

MSMEs Can Make Or Mar ‘Make In India' Initiative

The fulcrum of the ‘Make in India’ programme is the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) segment and, as of now, the MSMEs are thought of only as an adjunct. But that is slowly changing, explains R Chandrakanth

Defence Against Offence: India Is Building Up Its BMD Systems

The experience gained from the development and operation of the BrahMos Mach-3 supersonic cruise missile by the Indian armed forces will be an added advantage not available to other nations in the region. As a result, India could likely have operational hypersonic weapons capability before the end of the decade, explains C Santhosh

MEETING NEW AIR AND MISSILE THREATS

The Indian Air Force has begun substantial modernisation of its strategic air defences. But while progress has undoubtedly been made, strategic SAM defences remain weak, writes SANJAY BADRI MAHARAJ

EXPENSIVE BUT INDISPENSABLE AIRPOWER

AMIT GUPTA argues why given the harsh economic challenges facing the country, which is not unique to India, the best way to afford an effective air force is to plan differently but smartly by going for techno-globalisation rather than futile techno-nationalism

IAF INDIGENISATION REALISTIC TARGETS ARE NEEDED

India cannot and must not expect complete indigenisation. The tendency to view Indian efforts in terms of indigenous content is singularly unhelpful. While increasing indigenization is necessary, economies of scale, costs, and realistic appraisal of the level of technology transfer have to be taken into consideration, argues SANJAY BADRI MAHARAJ

EVERGREEN RUSSIAN FACTOR IN EVOLUTION OF IAF

AMIT COWSHISH argues why it is hard to ignore the Russian factor in India’s military capability

NANO DRONES: A BIG IMPACT ON THE BATTLEFIELD

Nano drones, the advanced systems that pack a lot of functionality into a tiny form factor, are becoming a major military tool. With China having a huge lead, India needs to get its act together, argues RAKESH KRISHNAN SIMHA

BEING SELF-RELIANT IN DEFENCE

The ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign is speeding up the growth of indigenous defence manufacturing capability in India, writes C SANTHOSH

POST-RAFALE IAF GROWTH CHALLENGES

In order to have its authorized 42 squadrons earliest by 2038, the Indian Air Force requires $110 billion (₹770,000 crore), estimates ANIL CHOPRA. Where is that money? Will this remain a pipe dream?

AUGMENTING THE AIRLIFT CAPABILITY

India is slowly and steadily raising its means to deploy and sustain military forces across possible distant battlefields by air, writes NINAD D SHETH

The Reality Of India's Drone Dreams

India needs to up the drone game quickly and imports are only part of the solution, argues NINAD D SHETH

Is The Private Sector Ready To Develop 3rd Gen ATGMS?

The recently announced negative list of 101 weapon systems offers a great opportunity towards self-reliance in defence as it paves the way for the Indian industry to rise to the occasion and manufacture the embargoed items by using indigenous design and development capabilities, argues R Chandrakanth

THE INDIAN ARMY'S RAPID REACTION CAPABILITY

While the IAF and navy are very capable and have improved their ability to transport and sustain the army, much needs to be done in order to give the Indian Army its desired deployment capability, writes SANJAY BADRI MAHARAJ

THE DANGERS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE WEAPONS

The dangers of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons cannot be unstated or underestimated. The US, China, Russia are all working towards thwarting possible attacks. There are Indian plans to counter these threats to both civil and military assets

INFANTRY COMBAT VEHICLES: GIVING THE SOLDIERS A FIGHTING CHANCE

The Indian Army’s plan to replace its fleet of outdated infantry combat vehicles is currently stuck in procurement limbo. To be able to fight and win the next war, the need of the hour is to push forward with next generation combat vehicles without wasting time, explains RAKESH KRISHNAN SIMHA

FUTURE-PROOFING THE BORDERS WITH THE HELP OF DRONES

It is not just acquisition of drones but also training and constant update for users on the ground. Future warfare is going to be futuristic, writes R CHANDRAKANTH

AUGMENTING THE FIREPOWER

NINAD D SHETH explains how India is pushing artillery modernisation amid budget constraints

ARMY AIR DEFENCE- NEED FOR ENHANCEMENTS

The AAD is at present a very formidable force. But, there are capability gaps and equipment shortfalls that need to be addressed immediately, explains SANJAY BADRI MAHARAJ

Indian Navy: Challenges Ahead

VENUGOPAL MENON points out the impediments for India to be a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region and suggests how these can be overcome

India Needs To Step Up Shipbuilding Programmes

Going by the Indian Navy’s Maritime Capability Perspective Plan (2012-2027) which envisions a force of 200 warships and 500 aircraft to guard the Indian Ocean Region, there is work for everyone and the government should get away from the preferential model of handing out projects to PSUs, explains R CHANDRAKANTH

THE INDIAN NAVY: STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES IN INDIGENOUS SHIPBUILDING

India has not yet reached the stage where its warships can be fitted with entirely indigenous weapon systems and sensors. Significant strides have been made in this respect. But the development of a self-sufficient warship industry remains somewhat distant, writes SANJAY BADRI-MAHARAJ

‘NAVANTIA IS A SUPPORTER OF ‘MAKE IN INDIA' INITIATIVE'

Navantia’s openness to activities that contribute to the creation of new industries, develop capacities, and the progressive acquisition of industrial skills is well known, and has taken different forms depending on the Client requirements and local capacity, explains SOFIA HONRUBIA, Commercial Vice President, Navantia in this one-on-one with GEOPOLITICS

“THE INDIAN NAVY IS FULLY COMMITTED TOWARDS ‘JOINTMANSHIP' WITH OTHER FORCES AS THAT IS THE WAY FOR THE FUTURE”

ADMIRAL KARAMBIR SINGH assumed command of the Indian Navy on May 31, 2019 as the 24th Chief of the Naval Staff. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, he was commissioned into the Indian Navy in July 1980. He earned his wings as a helicopter pilot in 1981 and has flown extensively on the Chetak (Alouette) and Kamov helicopters. In his career spanning over 39 years, he has commanded Indian Coast Guard Ship Chandbibi, Missile Corvette INS Vijaydurg, as well as two Guided Missile Destroyers, INS Rana and INS Delhi. He has also served as the Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet. He was the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam, prior taking over helm as the Chief of the Naval Staff. Confident that the Indian Navy can face any challenge, Admiral Singh, in conversation with PRAKASH NANDA, points out how India is playing a stabilising role in the Indo-Pacific with its presence across the region, enabling rapid responses to emerging security challenges; why the Indian Navy has established a persistent footprint in India’s areas of interest, including at various choke points in the Indian Ocean; and how naval deployments also serve as a deterrent to inimical interests, clearly signalling the Navy’s reach, capability and intent.:

FLYING INTO ACTION WITH THE BLOCK III SUPER HORNET

Pilots swear by it, ground crews love working on it and naval commanders consider it one of the most capable assets at their disposal. Did you know that the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet is the world's most lethal, advanced, combat-proven, multirole frontline fighter jet?

MBDA AND THE INDIAN NAVY EXCELLENCE IN MARITIME SUPERIORITY

MBDA has an excellent record of accomplishment providing both operational and industrial capabilities in partnership with the Indian armed forces and Indian defence industry. The strength of these two pillars makes it a long-term true partnership, and one that should only get stronger

THE INDIAN NAVY- STRENGTHS AND SHORTCOMINGS VS CHINA

While build quality of vessels is adequate and indigenisation levels impressive, the excessively long time period between laying down hulls and commissioning has to be addressed as a matter of urgency, argues SANJAY BADRI-MAHARAJ

BUILDING A POWERFUL BUT COST-EFFECTIVE NAVAL FORCE

AMIT GUPTA suggests ways how India can have a navy with a punch that doesn’t break the budget