A GIANT LEAP

AMARTYA SINHA explains why hypersonic cruise missiles are a massive force multiplier

The Story Of Atmanirbharta In Defence

Will the embargo on import and carving out of a separate budget head for local procurement give impetus to indigenisation and self-reliance in a way that the measures taken in the past two decades have not? Amit Cowshish attempts an answer

Article 370 — One Year Later, Huge Infra Push In J&K

The abrogation of Article-370 and Article-35A of the Constitution of India has seen an outpour of developmental initiatives in the two newly formed union territories, reports Amartya Sinha

Is The “New LAC Normal” Here To Stay?

Presenting a “Reality Check”, GEN RAJ MEHTA argues that while India’s conventional war-fighting approach suffices for Pakistan (in the event of Chinese collusion in SSN), the Chinese fight very differently. Thus, Indian forces will have to balance conventional wisdom for Pakistan with Chinese unorthodoxy and recourse to deception and deceit and trump both approaches

HIT TO KILL: THE ARTILLERY SAGA

At a time when India is increasingly facing the threat of a two-front war on its borders, it will be very apt to conclude that the Indian Army’s artillery modernisation drive requires a tremendous thrust from the government, argues AMARTYA SINHA

FORFEITING NATIONAL SECURITY FOR TURF

Inter-organisational cooperation and camaraderie is a fallacy which has been propagated for long, laments PANKAJ BHAGWATI

HIGH TIME FOR AGNI-VI INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILE

Now is the time for the NDA-3 government to prove its political will by swiftly approving the Agni- VI thermonuclear ICBM programme which will push India into the elite league of military superpowers like USA, Russia and China. Such a capability will give India tremendous diplomatic leverage at global high tables and will deter big powers from attempting Balkanisation of India during future conflicts, explains AMARTYA SINHA

BOEING OFFERS F/A-18 BLOCK-III SUPER HORNETS TO INDIAN NAVY

India is the front and centre of significant opportunities for Boeing, with India’s defence forces having invested in advanced capabilities for now and the future. Boeing is committed to supporting, as well as helping the modernisation of India’s armed forces.

LOCKHEED MARTIN CONCLUDES ANNUAL SUPPLIERS CONFERENCE

Reaffirming its continued commitment to and focus on Make in India, Lockheed Martin has announced the culmination of the 7th edition of its annual Suppliers Conference on July 31, 2020. The event was co-hosted with Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

RAFAEL OFFERS FIREFLY LOITERING MUNITIONS AND DRONE DOME C-UAS SYSTEMS TO INDIA

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. designs, develops, manufactures and supplies a wide range of high-tech defence systems for air, land, sea space and cyber applications for the Israeli Defence Forces and the defence establishment, as well as for customers around the world. The company offers its customers a diversified array of innovative, multi-disciplinary solutions at the leading edge of global technology, from underwater systems through naval, ground, and air superiority systems to space systems. Rafael's technologies address a vast scope of operational needs with end-to-end, force-multiplying solutions.

74 PERCENT FDI ALLOWED IN DEFENCE THROUGH AUTOMATIC ROUTE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the seminar on Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence Manufacturing via Video Conferencing on August 27. Stressing on the need to become Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) in defence manufacturing, the Prime Minister said that the nation’s aim is to boost defence production, develop new technology and give significant roles to private players in the defence sector.

Fire On All Cylinders At China

The blood of twenty Indian martyrs and the broader problem of China’s repetitive ‘salami slicing’ tactics with its neighbours demand a comprehensive longer-term response. China is a different beast. Even as the intense news media focus shifts from the Ladakh encounter and the LAC flareup, India’s foreign and defence communities cannot afford to take their eyes off the ball of China’s overall imperialistic posturing, which is bound to return in some form or the other either at the LAC or in the Indo-Pacific, argues SREERAM CHAULIA

‘WE HAVE DEVELOPED AI-ENABLED SECURITY SOLUTIONS'

At a time when the nation is increasingly facing internal security threats, Globus Infocom has emerged as a prominent player in the domain of cutting-edge security and surveillance gadgets. The Indian company is literally redefining the law enforcement landscape in India and is playing a pivotal role in police modernisation. KIRANDEEP DHAM, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Globus Infocom Limited, explains the nuances in the field of latest security and surveillance solutions in this interview with AMARTYA SINHA

TIME TO SHOW CHINA ITS PLACE

In the backdrop of the recent clashes between Indian and Chinese forces at Galwan Valley, experts think that in case a war takes place between the two countries, India has an advantage and the war would be fought on the Tibetan plateau.

BOOSTING INFRASTRUCTURE ALONG THE INDIA-CHINA BORDER

AMARTYA SINHA takes a look at the state of infrastructures near the Line of Actual Control with China, keeping in view that an armed confrontation with the communist neighbour can be prevented only when the Indian military achieves the technological and strategic edge over the adversary in terms of good quality metalled roads, railway tracks, bridges, tunnels, ALGs and airbases.

MODERNISING THE PARAMILITARY

Strict maintenance of law and order by deploying modern technology and contemporary tactics is extremely crucial for maintaining India’s internal stability and territorial integrity. Now is the time to go full-throttle on paramilitary modernisation, writes AMARTYA SINHA

THE TIME FOR ALLIANCE?

AMIT GUPTA argues why it is time for India to rethink its foreign and security policy

INDIA'S MH-60R CHOPPERS WILL BE ENABLED WITH LINK-16

The Indian Navy will be flying the same helicopters as the US Navy in the Indo-Pacific region. Moreover, the Australian Navy also flies the same kind of aircraft. So, there is a great opportunity towards boosting interoperability. These helicopters can literally scan 20 percent of the entire surface of the Indo-Pacific theatre and can sniff out hostile assets through their powerful sensors, says TOM KANE, Director of Naval Helicopter Programmes, Lockheed Martin; and WILLIAM BLAIR, Vice President and Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin in India, in this interaction with Geopolitics

F-35S, PATRIOTS AND A BLACKLISTING!

The announcement earlier this month of two mega sales—F-35s to Japan and patriot missiles to Taiwan— by the US has angered China who see it as another ‘provocation’. It is also a reflection of a hardening stance by Japan and Taiwan who routinely describe Chinese military incursions as the ‘real provocation’ Taking a cue, policymakers in Delhi are suggesting that India needs to reframe its relationship with Taiwan

A 'RED' ODYSSEY

In the space of eleven days, three incredible voyages to the Red Planet will occupy the attention of space scientists around the world. First off the mark was UAE’s Al Amal, followed days later by China’s Tianwen-1 to followed at the end of the month by the US Perseverance. If successful, these missions could well be the precursor of manned missions to Mars. A special report.

Dealing With China

Consistency has never been a virtue for the Communist rulers of China in settling their border disputes with the neighbours. They have used different principles for different countries. And this is the biggest bottleneck in arriving at an amicable solution to the present faceoff between the Chinese and Indian troops, argues Prakash Nanda

A Post Covid-19 World Order

Amit Gupta discusses what changes may emerge in the world affected by the Covid–19 pandemic and their potential implications for India

TRACKED METAL BEASTS OF THE INDIAN ARMY

AMARTYA SINHA reviews the fleet of India’s tanks and armoured fighting vehicles

WHY CHINA IS DOING WHAT IT IS DOING AND DELHI IS DOING LITTLE

Noted defence analyst BHARAT KARNAD suggests measures that New Delhi should take to deal with Beijing

THE UNIFORMED SAVIOURS OF HUMANITY

AMARTYA SINHA elaborates the large-scale mobilisation of Indian troops and their exemplary contribution towards handling the COVID-19 pandemic in the country

NUCLEAR ‘CHINDIA' RISING OR UNBOUND?

The sub-text is crystal clear…India and its armed forces; its warfighting support system and strategic infrastructure must be ready for the worst even as we insist on status quo pre-May 2020 as non-negotiable. This is because agreeing to “adjustment/acceptance” of current Chinese positions on ground “as is where is” will hand over critical strategic and geo-political space to China. It will make Sino-Pak collusion in Eastern Ladakh a nightmarish reality; make Leh, Siachen/Saltoro/DBO/Chushul and our communications/command and control set up fraught with risk of sudden attack and loss. GEN RAJ MEHTA examines the issue and takes a macro view above the cacophony of satellite driven nit-picking about weapons, bunkers, tents, vehicles and such wearisome detailing

SHIFT IN INDIA'S BORDER DEFENCE WIKIPEDIA PROVOKES CHINA

Explaining how China is systematically grabbing land in Ladakh by exploiting its topographical features, P STOBDAN suggests the way forward

KC 390 FLIES INTO TURBULENCE

With Boeing and Embraer parting ways, the KC-390 has run into some turbulence. It will now have to create a network to sell the aircraft and find new customers. Also, possibly a new partner

EJECTION SEAT SAGA REDEFINING THE NEW NORMAL OF COMBAT AVIATION

The Collins ACES II ® ’s stable, 9-13 G catapult at ambient temperatures is also important when the pilot is operating aircraft in hot environments. High temperatures affect the acceleration during the catapult phase and when the risks of spinal injuries tremendously increase around 20 G’s, having some buffer will ensure pilot safety, writes DON BORCHELT

A LIKELY GAMBLE

The latest announcement to raise the FDI cap in Defence is fine, but unaccompanied by the fast-tracking comprehensive reforms within the country in the areas of land, labour, infrastructure and governance, the environment will not be attractive enough to entice foreign and Indian investors, warns AMIT COWSHISH