Articles By Lt Gen Prakash Katoch
Afghanistan – great game goes intense
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 28 Apr , 2017
During the recent visit of US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis to Afghanistan, General John Nicholson told reporters in Kabul that he is “not refuting” reports that Russia is providing weapons to...
New Joint Doctrine – but who will walk the talk?
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 25 Apr , 2017
Anything to do with defence, and there is plenty electronic excitement. So this time, the media is agog with headlines of “New defence doctrine to ensure Army, Navy, IAF can tackle entire...
Adept at Chinese Checkers, Pakistan may find itself handicapped in Russian...
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Courtesy: South Asia Monitor | Date: 19 Apr , 2017
Is the world headed for more turmoil? The indications are very much there. The speculation of a US-Russia rapprochement at the time of election of President Donald Trump has all but evaporated....
Sarin attack in Syria – who’s the culprit?
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 12 Apr , 2017
As some 59-60 Tomahawk cruise missile fired from USS Porter and USS Ross in the Mediterranean on night of April 6 struck the Shayrat air base, southeast of Homs in Syria, nine Syrian air force...
Navy’s Minesweeping Capability – why the void?
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 07 Apr , 2017
In an his recent article ‘Beware the rhyme of history’ published in the Indian Express on March 24, Admiral Arun Prakash, former Chief of Naval Staff wrote, “Neither appeasement, nor empty...
South Asia Nuclear War – Periodic kitty gossip
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 05 Apr , 2017
Britain’s Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre (DCDC) has produced a comprehensive study titled ‘Global Strategic Trend 2040’, wherein the research team has systematically crystal...
Defence Minister – baton changes hand
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 16 Mar , 2017
With Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar having moved to Panaji due to political expediency of the State of Goa, Arun Jaitley has been given additional charge of the Ministry of Defence (MoD). How...
Russia’s Pakistan Epiphany
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 12 Mar , 2017
The terrorist attack on Sardar Daud military hospital in Kabul on March 8, killing over 30 and injuring 50 plus underscores the worsening security situation in Afghanistan. The Islamic State has...
Pakistan's Dangerous Game Plan - with a Little Chinese Help
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Date: 09 Mar , 2017
Since the ghastly terrorist bombing of the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Sehwan, Sindh, that killed some 83 Sufi Muslims and injured over 250 on February 16, the Pakistan Army claims to have...
Manipur Elections – why they are important this year
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 01 Mar , 2017
The elections in Manipur next month have special significance not since this is year 2017 or because: the Naga bandh has been called off; Manipur is the main conduit for two-way drug trade with...
Nirbhay Fiasco – no need to be disheartened
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 18 Feb , 2017
December 21, 2016 was bad day for India when the trial test of the nuclear-capable ‘Nirbhay’ long-range cruise missile failed for the third time. Ironically the missile has failed to achieve...
Military Must Vote in Coming Elections but Do Service Chiefs Have it in Them?
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Date: 07 Feb , 2017
If the serving soldiers do not vote in the forthcoming state elections, not only will it be a great pity but this would compound such earlier follies. Ensuring every serving soldier votes is part...
Battlefield Management System for Indian Army – Where Are We?
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 31 Jan , 2017
Project Battlefield Management System (BMS) was envisaged by the Indian Army to enable a faster decision process by commanders at all echelons, enable better decision due to reliable operational...
Defence Budget 2017-2018 – what is in store?
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 25 Jan , 2017
Defence Budget 2017-2018 is due to be announced on February 1st, couple of weeks earlier than the normal practice of budget announcement in later half of February. There are many expectations,...
De-radicalization – Alien Word or Playing Kho-Kho?
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 17 Jan , 2017
The west coined a unique term called “violent extremism” implying that action needed to be taken once the extremist turned violent. Now take the Sarin Gas attack on the Tokyo Subway on 20...
Short-circuiting Carbines procurement for Army, but why not Assault Rifles?
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 11 Jan , 2017
According to recent media reports, perturbed with the repeated failure to purchase 44,000 close quarter battle (CQB) carbines, crucial for counter-terrorism operations in Kashmir Valley, the...
The FICV Saga – Another Hiccup or Are We Serious?
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 07 Jan , 2017
In April 2012, the media was abuzz about government having opened the doors for private players to bid for a project to build the Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV). Four companies were in the...
US Defence Budget 2017 – Mixed Bag
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 31 Dec , 2016
With less than a month left to handover to President-elect Donald Trump, President Obama on December 23 signed the US Defence Budget 2017 for $618 billion, officially making it as the...
Aamir Riaz Inviting India to Join CPEC – What Were His Motives?
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 25 Dec , 2016
According to news from Islamabad says that in a “surprise move”, Aamir Riaz, commanding Pakistan’s Southern Command has said that India should join the China Pakistan Economic Corridor...
Why the visit of Indonesian President was Important
By: Lt Gen Prakash Katoch | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 19 Dec , 2016
Many may be unaware that President Sukarno, first President of Indonesia had led his country’s freedom struggle for Independence from the Netherlands was the first President of Indonesia,...