Indian Defence Review

Attack on Saudi Oil Facilities: An Assessment

The attacks on Saudi Aramco are a reminder of India’s dependence on a very volatile and unstable region of the world. The attack appears to fit a pattern of Iran targeting Saudi Arabia’s oil exports sending a message that if US sanctions on Iran’s exports are not eased, the world should not take Iran’s...

Beyond Trump’s Bagram Thanksgiving

The surprise visit by President Donald Trump to Afghanistan on November 29 to be with US troops for Thanksgiving was a good gesture in line with the respect and support the US gives to its military. In 2018, Trump had similarly visited US troops in Iraq on December 24 – a day before Christmas. Recall Trump concluding...

Is the World Coming Apart at the Seams?

“The darker and bigger the cloud, the more brilliant is the silver lining.” — Hope is not lost. The recent proceedings at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) where the Pakistani Prime Minister’s visceral diatribe against India and call for Jihad by Pakistanis in support of the Indian Kashmiri’s was a...

Attack on Saudi Oil Facilities: An Assessment

Beyond Trump’s Bagram Thanksgiving

Is the World Coming Apart at the Seams?

Importance of Data Mining for Operational Efficiency

As world in general begins to move towards widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI for short) authentic data becomes increasingly important. Battlefields of the future are no exception. But for the AI to be effective in any field, the necessary input data is essential. It is often said that ‘data is the new...

INS ‘Vishal’ – next aircraft carrier

Reports in media indicate UK is in talks with the Indian government on building a new state-of-the-art aircraft carrier on the lines of Britain’s HMS ‘Queen Elizabeth’ as part of ongoing ‘Make in India’ negotiations. The report says that talks are underway for the Indian Navy to ‘buy’ detailed plans for...

Improvised Air Defence Weapons: An Emerging threat or Much Ado about nothing?

On April 19, 2019, Yemen rebels shot down a Chinese-built medium-altitude and long-endurance Wing Loong drone with a surface-to-air missile. The drone, operated by Saudi Arabia, was reportedly on a surveillance mission over Bani Muadh area in the Sahar district of Saada province and was armed with air-to-surface...

J&K: For New Narrative to Succeed Winning Confidence is the Need

Time ticks very fast and so does the mood of the people. The initial euphoria over the abrogation of Articles 35A, 370 and reorganisation of the state is fast dying down with stark realities staring at the faces of the citizens. There is no doubt in their mind that there exists no magic band that would usher changes...

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...

Mumbai 26/11: A day of infamy

Even while holding talks with the US on peace in the Pacific, the Japanese Empire secretly and treacherously planned and carried out massive surprise attacks from the air and the sea on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, killing a large number of American military personnel and civilians and destroying the US...

Lockheed Martin has appointed William Blair as Vice President and Chief Executive for India

Lockheed Martin has appointed William Blair as Vice President and Chief Executive for India. In this role, Mr. Blair will lead the growth and development of Lockheed Martin’s business in India and serve as the executive representative for all of Lockheed Martin’s programs, products and services in the country. He...

From Net Defence Importer to Net Exporter?

On November 11, 2019, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated, “Looking at the talent India possesses, I am pretty confident that we can become a $10 trillion economy in the next 10-15 years”. He added that the need of the hour is to strengthen research and development in defence manufacturing and that India needs to...

Technology in Warfare: Is India Lagging Behind?

There are more than 250 government or private drone developers or manufacturers in China. Some are working closely with technical universities and the government. China is investing heavily in Swarm Technology and Artificial Intelligence. With the rapid rate of development and astonishing test results, China appears to...

Desperate for Internet in Kashmir

On August 5, the central took the major decision of bifurcating the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two...

Xi Jinping's many problems: Hong Kong to Xinjiang

Since his visit to Mamallapuram, Chinese President Xi Jinping has been facing a rough sea at home. The 4th plenary...

1971 War: Battle of Bogra

The capture of Bogra was a landmark victory in which every soldier of 5/11 GR played a vital role against the enemy, which was entrenched in fortified positions. It was a classic battle in a built up area where grit, determination combined with individual and collective gallant actions and military skills, played a major role. The pride of the Pakistan Army lay prostrate as they had been...

Imran-Bajwa power play: The web of deceit will have serious consequences

The perfidious power play in Pakistan has attained a notorious, dishonourable status. Gen. Qamar Bajwa continues as chief while the Imran Khan government is left to grapple with the directions given by the Supreme Court of the country. This web of deceit smelled rotten right from...

Baghdadi’s Elimination: ISIS Down but Not Out

The elimination of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the brutal founder of ‘Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’ (ISIS), on October 27 is a significant achievement for the American counter-terrorism campaign. President Donald Trump while announcing Baghdadi’s death in a raid by the US...

How Rafale verdict proved to be a win for India

The second week of November 2019 will be a marquee event in the annals of the Indian judiciary. Several important, long-pending issues were decided by the Supreme Court of India led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi (retd). On November 9, the Supreme Court (SC) delivered a final settlement on...

Can BRICS lead the world?

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 11th BRICS summit on November 13-14 in Brasilia, Brazil. After 10 years of success, the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) are looking to expand their role in the world. BRICS is spread over four continents and its market size makes it an important group in world affairs. Member countries are working for their continent’s growth and world growth. Though there have been small...