Indian Defence Review

Sarp Vinash 2.0

Counter-terrorist operations launched by the Army in the area of Nar Khas Forest in J&K’s Poonch region on the evening of October 14 after five Army personnel were killed during an encounter with terrorists are still ongoing. Nine Army personnel including two JCOs have lost their lives in these operations so far; five...

Indo-Pak War, 1947-48: The History and its Current Ramifications

On October 27, 1947, the Indian Army landed in Srinagar airport and thus began what is historically referred to as the Indo-Pakistan War, 1947-48. The war witnessed many iconic battles over two campaigning seasons in areas ranging from Zoji La to the Kashmir valley, Poonch and Mendhar etc. The newly created state of...

In Pursuit of the FRCV Pipedream

“It isn’t about getting to the LAC quickly, it’s about winning there.” A fresh Request for Information (RFI) to procure over 1,700 Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) has been issued by the Indian Army to twelve Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The acquisition is planned through the Strategic...

Taliban’s Resurgence in Afghanistan: Pakistan’s Duplicity and Liberal World’s Dilemma

General Zia ul Haq after taking over the reins of the government in Pakistan after a coup in 1977, vigorously embarked on a drive towards the Islamization of his country. He started this by amending the liberal nature of the constitution, introducing Islamic Laws, Islamizing the education system. However, the biggest...

High Time India Jettisons Non-Alignment

Though the Non-alignment Movement is languishing as a vestigial organisation in geo politics, Indian diplomats suffer from yesteryear hangovers and cling on to its decrepit concepts. As I had written sometime back; it is perfectly in order to engage Pakistan on J&K bilaterally as it covers under the Shimla Agreement of...

Yet another attempt to force an ethnic exodus from Kashmir?

The recent killings in Kashmir have two dimensions, i.e. Territorial and Civilizational. Matters pertaining to the Line of Control (LoC), observance and violations of Cease Fire, Counter Terrorist operations, Surgical Strike, and Balakot Air Strike fall under the Territorial dimension. The recent killing of a...

Indo-Pak War, 1947-48: The History and its Current Ramifications

In Pursuit of the FRCV Pipedream

Directed-Energy Weapons: Mirage or Reality? Light at the end of the Tunnel

No doubt, much remains to be done before Directed-Energy Weapons (DEWs) make a convincing transition from laboratory wonders to effective and reliable weapons of war. But there is finally light at the end of the tunnel and technologists believe that most if not all issues facing DEWs, can be resolved. Not only are DEWs...

Sarp Vinash 2.0

Who’s to Blame for Restrictions in Kashmir?

Now that check posts have sprung up all over Kashmir Valley, voices which have all along been criticising routine checks have become more vocal once again. Certain so-called champions of human rights are expressing grave concerns on this issue and citing the same as being violative of the right to privacy and free...

Targeted Killings in Kashmir: Inexplicable Silence of Hurriyat and Civil Society

The continuing killing of minority community members and non-locals in Kashmir Valley has made it abundantly clear that this barbaric trend has approval of those from across the Line of Control [LoC] who are masterminding the so called ‘armed struggle’ here. What’s even more disturbing is the perfunctory response...

Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence Sector: A Dream Comes True

Its strong economy and strong army know a nation’s strength. As far as India is concerned, it has a strong economy but not a strong army so far. It is doubtful to withstand joint operations from China and Pakistan supported by Taliban Afghanistan, as the full support from the US is doubtful. India has to therefore...

Corporatisation of OFB & Fault lines of India’s Military Industry Capability

Corporatisation was listed as one of the 167 transformational ideas to be implemented in the first 100 days of NDA manifesto (2019). The delay in corporatisation of 41 ordnance factories which have a hoary history of 246 years, with a credible record of providing requisite firepower to the defence services during the...

U-UAP presented Ka-226T Climber at the "Army" forum

Ulan-Ude aviation plant of Russian Helicopters Holding (Rostec State Corporation) presented at the static display of the Army-2021 International Military and Technical Forum in Patriot Park a sample of the latest modification of light multipurpose Ka-226T Climber helicopter, which will begin flight tests this...

India-China Border Dispute: The McMahon Line and Tawang

Introduction India and China have a long shared history of what could be arguably defined as one of the world’s...

Turkey exiting NATO will have repercussions for South Asia

Relations between the US and Turkey have been visibly in decline for some time. It is not just the wait that...

Dragon Flaunts ‘Firepower’ across LAC to ward off Growing Internal Challenges

What is going on in China? One thing is sure that the Middle Kingdom is going through turbulent times, to say the least. One just needs to look at the 13th round of the India-China Corps Commander level meeting, held at Chushul-Moldo post in Ladakh on 10 October. We are now told that the process of disengagement failed to move forward. India said that it was necessary for the Chinese “to...

Indian Military History should evolve in an objective and Contemporary Manner

India looks upon October as a very auspicious month; the festival of Dusshera falls in this month and so does the very significant Muslim festival of Eid. Both festivals epitomise the victory of all that is just and righteous. Dusshera has a military significance since it denotes...

Pakistan Army: Authority Sans Accountability

“The military is taking decisions without any accountability. It has become very dangerous”- Ayesha Siddiqa, [Pakistani political scientist, scholar and author] There were two major developments concerning Pakistan last week. The first was Pakistan Prime Minister Imran...

Employment and Control of UAVs

The Indian Army has raised a new Army Aviation Brigade in March 2021 at Missamari in Assam close to Tezpur in backdrop of the Chinese build up and increased activities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Eastern Sector. Three squadrons of this new aviation brigade are...

Stop China from Erasing ‘The Heart of the World’

Have you heard of the “Hidden Land of Pemako”? It is the area where China is planning to build mega hydropower stations in the Great Bend of the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) during its forthcoming 14th Five Year Plan. This project, three times the size of the Three Gorges dam, which is extremely hazardous for downstream nations such as India, has another dimension — the disappearance of one of the world’s most sacred...