Unfolding The Rafale Riddle

For the Modi government, or for that matter any government in its place, procuring the Rafale was not a matter of choice; it was a compulsion.

Eye Of The Seeker

Geopolitics looks at how Missile Seeker Technology has leapfrogged in recent years.

Improving Anti-Tank Missiles

Anti-tank guided missiles have been in widespread use since the 1960s and have undergone multiple modifications to improve their range and hit probability. However, the most recent developments in guidance systems have the possibility of vastly improving the hit probability of the missile with consequent implication for the survivability of armour on the battlefield, writes SANJAY BADRI-MAHARAJ

Aerospace And Defence Electronics: India's Next Big Opportunity

The aerospace and defence electronics sector is all set to achieve critical mass and grab a larger slice of India’s growing defence budget. However, fast track clearances, increased R&D expenditure, stronger public-private partnerships and higher user acceptance rates must also happen for the industry to reach its real potential, argues RAKESH KRISHNAN SIMHA

Rafale Man Serge Dassault Passes Away

The name behind the maker of the Rafale Fighter Jet, Serge Dassault passed away on May 28, 2018 at the age of 93. Dassault’s name was especially known for the development of France's Mirage jet fighters, as well as for equipping the French Air Force and other militaries through global sales. He was the Chairman and CEO of the Dassault Group when he died, and the President of Dassault Aviation, which he once led

Defence Space Agency To Exploit India'S Space Assets

The Integrated Space Cell may want to put a long line of defence application oriented satellites into orbit, even before the formation of the tri-services Space Command. Already an "eye-in-the-sky” system for the Air Force is being considered.

India's Space Sector Achievements Are Worth Emulating

The ISRO saga is a story of achievements. From its humble origins – when rocket parts were carried on bicycles and bullock carts – the organization has come a long way. Today, India can hold her head high among space research nations because of the spectacular feats by ISRO. ISRO is not just a space research institution, but it is much more than that.

'Before Long, A Skeldar Will Be Produced In India'

JAKOB BAUMANN, CEO, UMS Skeldar, believes that it will be able to convince the Navy first to go for a Skeldar and later even think of tying up with partners in India to start Skeldar production.

'V-22 Could Provide The Capability Indian Navy Needs To Become A Blue-Water Navy'

VICTOR CHIN, Regional Director Military Business Development, Bell Helicopter, points out to Geopolitics how important it is for India to have the V-22, like the US military, because then there will be great interoperability between the two nations.

Defence Budget 2017-18 More Of The Same

An incisive analysis of the defence budget for 2017-18, in which AMIT COWSHISH infers that after providing for the committed liabilities, there may not be enough money left to sign contracts for everything that is on the shopping list of the services.

India's Strategic Reach Hinges On Midair Refuelers

Geopolitics analyses the new contest in the midair refueler programme which has been pending for more than 10 years amidst flip-flops.

Building Indigenous Defence Industry Are Policy Statements Enough?

“The DPM has not received the same level of attention as the DPP, either from policy makers or the media” highlights CMDE LALIT KAPUR while comparing DPP and DPM.

East Or West, Desi Is The Best

The dictum goes for the Indian Army too. It has, in fact, begun procuring locally-made artillery guns in the last one year, including some foreign-origin guns that are to be assembled and produced by domestic private sector manufacturers. Geopolitics Bureau provides an insight into how the Indian Army artillery modernisation is going desi.

FRCV, FICV Have A Future In The Indian Army

Future armoured columns of the Indian Army would be state-of-the-art infantry combat vehicles and battle tanks. Geopolitics Bureau details the first step that has been taken to create the necessary environment to build future armoured vehicles.

Future Firepower

The Indian Army is looking for a next generation main battle tank.

Off The Mark

HAL moves forward on the LCA Mk-1A production following the IAF’s Request for Proposal for 83 fighters.

we will attain complete self-reliance in the near future

admiral sunil lanba took over as the 23rd chief of the naval staff on may 31, 2016. being a navigation and direction specialist, he has served as the navigation and operations officer onboard numerous ships in both the eastern and western fleet. he was also responsible for transformation in training methodology for the future indian navy as the chief of staff, southern naval command. the indian navy under him is rapidly transforming and positioning itself as a well-balanced force. he talks to mayank singh about how indian navy today ushers on various fronts of indigenisation and selfreliance. excerpts:

India's Firepower Depends on Mobility From Trucks

The primary question that comes to mind when we think of India's ballistic strategic and other tactical missiles, or artillery rockets is that how mobile are these? That depends on how our missiles and rockets are transported using a Transporter, Erector and Launcher or TEL for short, reports GEOPOLITICS Bureau.

Defence Mobility Tata Motors Storms Ahead

Tata Motors in April 2017 bagged an order for 3192 Tata Safari Storme (TSS) 4x4 utility vehicles for use by Indian Armed Forces. To be procured under the newly introduced vehicle category - GSS-800 (General Service 800) - the TSS is set to replace Maruti Gypsy, whose current inservice inventory of 40,000 suggests large TSS follow up orders would be inevitable. VERNON NORONHA, Vice President, Defence Business, Tata Motors gives Geopolitics an insight into future plans that include vigorous export push and sustained inroad into High Mobility Vehicle market.

Despite Tumult, Tatra Trucks Fleet Growing in India

All the buzz about Tatra trucks getting back into business in India after a two-year lull happened due to the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who in December 2014, soon after taking over, said he was open to reviewing all the cases of blacklisting by the previous UPA government, reports GEOPOLITICS Bureau.

DRDO Arms Indian Navy With Three New Products

With many such naval platforms, all significant for successful and effective operations of the Indian Navy, being supplied, DRDO has played a significant role and performed its duties towards India's maritime security, reports GEOPOLITICS Bureau.

Indian Leadership Must for Indian Ocean Region

With the Chinese eying the Indian Ocean Region for strategic imperatives and investing significantly to ensure their presence, India should take the initiative to guard itself against these Chinese advancements, writes DR. (CDR) ARNAB DAS.

India, Russia Move Forward to Iron Out Defence Supplies

The two deals were inked by Indian state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited with Russian companies United Aircraft Corporation and United Engine Corporation, for general terms and conditions governing long term supply of spares and rendering technical assistance over five years for the 272-jet Su-30 MKI fleet. The deals were worth $315 million, finds out GEOPOLIICS Bureau.

Jammu & Kashmir Is It Time To Show The Iron Fist?

From the point of view of most Indians, the situation in Kashmir has steadily deteriorated over the past few months.

Analysing The Kashmir Situation: Is Hard Power The Better Option?

A surge in violence - stone pelting, attack on security personnel - and an expansion in the scope of violence - bank robberies, attack on native Kashmiris - suggests that public discontent over Indian rule in Kashmir is rising. LT. GEN. SYED ATA HASNAIN (RETD.) analyses the situation for Geopolitics

Russia's Foreign Policy Challenges 2017

The US led sanctions and subdued energy prices have forced Russia into China's embrace, allowing China to treat Russia, a global power of no mean stature, as a mere pawn in its strategic gameplay with the US. The Chinese embrace has also isolated Russia from India and stymied its efforts to normalise relations with Japan, writes DR SUBHASH KAPILA

S-400 Triumph

Surface-To-Air Missile System.

That Sinking Feeling

Despite being India’s dominant arms supplier for decades, Russia finds its influence in military procurements is waning. But that does not mean that the time-tested military relationship between the two countries is under serious threats, points out.

Is Modi's Life In Danger?

The death of Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri remains a mystery. Another former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated despite intelligence inputs about attempts on his life. Obviously these warnings were overlooked. Given this history, it is not surprising that some powerful sections within the country are ridiculing reports about the threat to the life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, argues.

Red Star Over Nepal

Nepal is now the sixth country in the world to have a Communist government in power, possible with the merger of various Leftist factions who fought a competitive democratic election to come to power. While it is premature to predict how long this Left unity will survive, the new government is a big foreign policy challenge for India.