Ukraine Crisis – A Backgrounder

German Naval Chief’s Delhi Visit The German naval chief Vice Admiral Schonbach’s visit to New Delhi in January 2022 coincided with the last docking of the German naval frigate Bayern at Mumbai, after having departed Germany in August 2021 and having sailed through the Indo-Pacific region. Schonbach alluded to the fact that the ship’s routeContinue reading “Ukraine Crisis – A Backgrounder”

India: National Security Snapshot

The Big Picture (HT, 09 Jan 2022) by Raghu Raman, the founding CEO of NATGRID, alludes to India’s burgeoning internal “half front”, which may prove to be our “Achille’s Heel”. The half front that he is referring to are the internal issues that are causing fissures and cracks in the hugely diverse Indian society, whichContinue reading “India: National Security Snapshot”

TEDBF: The Future of Indian Naval Aviation

“Whoever rules the waves, rules the world”, these famous words by the renowned US Navy flag officer, geo-strategist, and naval historian Alfred T. Mahan, highlight the importance of naval power. In modern-day naval warfare, aircraft carrier-borne operations play a major role in establishing superiority over the opponent. The indigenous 4.5x generation Twin Engine Deck BasedContinue reading “TEDBF: The Future of Indian Naval Aviation”

Military Aviation Indigenous Production – Strategy India

India’s defence aviation industry is at times accused of not having significantly met the indigenous production needs of the air arms of the Indian armed forces despite being in existence for nearly seven decades. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), for long, had mastered the art of license production. After a partial success with the HF-24 ‘Marut’,Continue reading “Military Aviation Indigenous Production – Strategy India”

NEW CHINESE BORDER VILLAGES: AN OSINT ANALYSIS

For a few years now, new villages built by the Chinese government at the border with neighboring countries, or just across the border, or in territory that China disputes have been sighted and reported with increasing frequency. Many of these villages can be seen in satellite images available from Google Earth or other similar open-sourceContinue reading “NEW CHINESE BORDER VILLAGES: AN OSINT ANALYSIS”

The BAAZigars: All you need to know about the MiG-29 UPG

“The most advanced is the MiG-29UPG, implemented in India in collaboration with local industry” These were the words of Sergei Korotkov, the director-general of MiG. It was his reference to the Indian upgrade of MiG-29 to UPGs standard where he directly said that the India MiG-29 UPG is the most advanced variant of Mikoyan Mig-29Continue reading “The BAAZigars: All you need to know about the MiG-29 UPG”

Tejas Mk2: The Pride & Future of Indian Air Force

Tejas Mk2 has been the talk of the town recently when the new IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari stated recently that 7 squadrons of Tejas Mk2 are projected for induction in the coming years while discussing the future roadmap of the Indian Air Force’s modernization plan. This is an important announcement not onlyContinue reading “Tejas Mk2: The Pride & Future of Indian Air Force”

QUAD – Significant Air Power

In March this year, the leaders of Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, the United States, Japan, Australia and India, held a virtual meeting and released a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to “a region that is free, open, inclusive, healthy, anchored by democratic values, and unconstrained by coercion.” Finally, a check is evolving on belligerent China who isContinue reading “QUAD – Significant Air Power”

The Formidable General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper for Indian Armed Forces

Two General Atomics “Predator B” drones, also called the MQ-9 Reaper Sea Guardian, has been leased by the Indian Navy, in November 2020, from the USA for extended surveillance in the Indian Ocean. These drones are operating from INS Rajali near Arkonnam on the east coast. They are under the operational control of Indian NavyContinue reading “The Formidable General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper for Indian Armed Forces”

Theatre Commands. Interactive Session With Three Stalwarts

India has ambitious plans for setting up theatre commands for its armed forces. These are expected to facilitate better planning and unified military response to any future contingency. But, are these theatre commands really necessary? Need to hasten slowly? We need to have a National Security Doctrine from which should flow the Military Doctrine. IntegrationContinue reading “Theatre Commands. Interactive Session With Three Stalwarts”