Indian Defence Review

Nuclear Submarine Ahoy: Whither Bound?

The idea of nuclear propulsion for ships and aircraft for India was first mooted by Dr Homi Bhabha in 1954. In 1965, he sought assistance from US Atomic Energy Commission for developing nuclear propulsion technology. This was turned down. This should have been no surprise – as at the time, the US was unwilling to...

Evolving Trends in Aerial Combat

The air combat engagement between the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) during the PAF riposte after Balakot air strike in February 2019 is being discussed among air forces across the world to draw lessons for future trends in air combat. One thing that came out clear was the need for long range...

Trump was a Strategic Boon for India

Today habitual and professional Trump detractors are breast beating about the violence in the US Capitol Hill. President designate Joe Biden and Speaker Nancy Pelosi have not spared any invectives. Nancy Pelosi has gone to the extent of seeking impeachment of Trump. Some of the elements inimical to Trump are also...

Trump was a Strategic Boon for India

Indian Model of Theatre Commands: The Road Ahead!

In the history of restructuring of the Indian Armed Forces, the year 2020 started with hopes and anxiety with the long-awaited appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the creation of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) within the Ministry of Defence (MoD) with a redistribution of duties, to further...

Xi Jinping and the Future of CCP

In an unprecedented move effective from the New Year’s Day, China has removed the military from the government control and expanded the powers of its Central Military Commission (CMC), headed by Xi Jinping, to mobilise military and civilian resources in defence of the national interest, both at home and abroad. The...

Nuclear Submarine Ahoy: Whither Bound?

Evolving Trends in Aerial Combat

Chief of Defence Staff – Game Changer or Damp Squib?

It has been a year since the much-awaited post of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was created to provide single point military advice to the national leadership. Almost two decades after a Group of Ministers recommended the creation of the post, General Bipin Rawat took over as the first CDS on 01 Jan 2019. It is...

Harnessing Youth Power in Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir has suffered tremendously in the shadow of the gun for the last almost three decades. Violence hit the youth of the region most of all. Their education and development suffered since families were engrossed in the day to day challenge of survival. As a result, they lost out on employment opportunities...

Positive changes in Kashmir raise hopes for early statehood

The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a paradigm shift in its socio-political environment in recent times. Of great importance is the successful and incident free conduct of the District Development Council (DDC) elections that began on November, 28 and culminated with the counting of votes on December,...

Theological War that Tears India

For India, the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands serve as an aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean. Strategically, India has been investing in the Islands in enhancing its defence potential and as a strategic base. Not only in conventional scenarios, the Islands are pivotal for operations against maritime terrorism...

FDI in Defence Manufacturing-26-49-100 Percent

There are times when a nation is blessed with decisive leadership, which can take bold policy initiatives that would benefit future generations. In the budget of 2014, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in defence production was increased from the then 26 percent to 49 percent. There was noticeable excitement amongst the...

Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces awards Rosoboronexport with Certificate of Honor

In line with Order No. 1 of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin dated October 15, 2020, Rosoboronexport JSC (part of Rostec State Corporation) has been awarded the Certificate of Honor “For merit in strengthening the country’s defense capacity and developing...

Complexification and Public-Private Positioning in the Land Forces Armament Sector

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, restructuring has pervaded the land forces defense industry. Without the needs demanded by such a threat, a transformation precipitated in the Western industrial apparatus. Land defense systems have become increasingly complex, while economic conditions have altered the industry...

Fiscal Mismanagement will lead to Disastrous Consequences in Pakistan

Pakistan’s economy has been hurtling southwards for more than a decade now. Its present growth rate, hovering...

Storm of the Swarms: Lessons for India

“I visualize a time when we will be to robots what dogs are to humans, and I’m rooting for the machines.” —...

The Most Serious Strategic Development on Indian Frontiers

One of the most secret projects of President Xi Jinping is to open a new link between Xinjiang and Tibet. The two restive Autonomous Regions border India, particularly the Ladakh region, which is witnessing a serious military confrontation since May 2020. The Changthang National Nature Reserve A few years ago, I wrote about the project of a road through the Changthang or ‘Northern plain’...

Curtailed Army Day Celebration 2021

Army Day is celebrated in India on 15th of January every year to commemorate a historic event post independence in January 1949 when Gen. KM Cariappa became the first Indian to assume the Command of the Indian Army. The celebration commemorates yet another turn of historic event...

Pakistan: Fanatic Outrage and Shrine Demolition

In less than a week after the destruction of a Hindu holy shrine in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), the Supreme Court of Pakistan has come down heavily against the perpetrators of the act as well as against the public authorities for having failed to protect the rights and...

William Burns: Who Guided India-US Nuclear Deal but is Critical of Modi, Named CIA Chief

US President-elect Joe Biden on Monday named William Burns, who guided the landmark nuclear deal between India and the United States but is a strong critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to be the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). A former Deputy Secretary of...

Beware, India! China’s Most Strategic Road

Beijing starts construction of strategic Xinjiang-Tibet highway, which will bring the greatest strategic change for India since the 1950s, as it will be an alternate artery for the Dragon to fortify its presence along the LAC. On 27 May 1951, the Ashi Shan (mountain) volcano erupted in the Xinjiang province of China. It began with a loud detonation, followed by the ejection of large blocks of lava, emitting thick black smoke, and lasted for a...