Recent events have put the Indian intelligence establishment under scrutiny, especially after a high-profile incident that raised questions about its effectiveness. An indictment filed by the U.S. Department of Justice on October 18 in a New York court charged Vikash Yadav and his associate Nikhil Gupta with murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering. The target was Khalistani separatist and Sikhs For Justice founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York in June 2023. ...

With a steady decline in active squadrons, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently operating well below its optimal strength of 42 squadrons. Numbers are expected to dip further as older aircraft retire. In this episode, Shiv and Dev unpack India’s decision to initiate a new global competition for fighter jets to fill a critical gap in the IAF’s strength. The IAF initially purchased 36 Rafales (far fewer than the original 126 needed); India’s MRFA tender—an acquisition plan for 114 fighter...

India and China have agreed to resume military patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, marking a step toward disengagement, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia for the BRICS Summit. PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first formal discussion since the 2020 border clashes, signalling renewed dialogue after years of military buildup on both sides. In the latest In Our Defence podcast, host...

Can you picture a ship that can stay hidden under water for months on end, manoeuvre sharply and speedily, and surface at just at the right time, literally out of the blue, to wreak havoc on the enemy? That's a nuclear-powered attack submarine, or SSN, for you. Nuclear strategist Rear Admiral Raja Menon (retired) once called these submarines "the ultimate arbiter of sea power". But what it is about these submarines that makes them so lethal? Dev Goswami and Shiv Aroor take a deep dive on...

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has announced that flight testing for India’s ‘Loyal Wingman’ drone will begin by 2024. Part of HAL’s Combat Air Teaming System, this indigenous drone will accompany manned IAF fighter jets, offering a new dimension in air combat by working alongside or behind fighters to protect and support them. It can be launched from aircraft like the C-130 or Su-30 MKI and controlled via a secure data link. The CATS Warrior first unveiled in 2021, is a twin-engined...

Iran fired more than 180 ballistic missiles, including its hypersonic medium-range Fattah-2, in a major offensive aimed at overwhelming Israel’s air defences. The strikes hit key military targets such as the Nevatim and Tel Nof airbases, home to Israel’s F-35 fighter jets. In this episode of In Our Defence, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor unpack Iran’s recent missile offensive on Israel and how the Fattah-2, used for the first time, targeted Israel’s Arrow defence system,...

Recently, an MQ-9B Predator drone leased to the Indian Navy by the US crashed into the sea off the Chennai coast due to a failure of its power generators and onboard batteries. It was leased from the American firm General Atomics and suffered a power generator and battery failure, leading to a "controlled ditching" into the sea off the Chennai coast. What does "ditched in a controlled manner" mean, and is this crash a concern for India? Besides, the US has also approved the sale of 31 MQ-9...

On September 17, hundreds of pagers and walkie-talkies exploded simultaneously across Lebanon and parts of Syria, killing dozens and injuring hundreds. Was this another meticulously planned Mossad operation, echoing their history of high-stakes missions? In the 40th episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor delve into these recent coordinated explosions, dissecting how such an elaborate attack could have been planned and executed. What multiple failures in Hezbollah's security...

The Indian Navy is set to finalise the procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets by the end of this financial year. Indian Navy plans to equip the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant with these planes and develop a vital capability for the force on the maritime front. Host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor explore the evolution of naval fighter jets in the Indian Navy—a subject that might seem niche but is crucial to India’s defence. The hosts walk through the history of...

In this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor explore the future of India's armoured capabilities in light of the government's recent approval of ₹1,44,716 crore for capital acquisitions. This includes modernising the Indian Army's tank fleet through the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) program. The new tank FRCV aims to replace around 2,500 four-decade-old Soviet-origin T-72 tanks first acquired in 1982. Why is the FRCV project necessary, and how does it address the...

India, a nation that has landed on the moon and built fighter jets, still imports basic infantry rifles. Why? The Ministry of Defence has recently signed a repeat order for 73,000 SIG716 rifles from the U.S., with delivery expected by the end of 2025. This follows an earlier procurement of 72,400 rifles in 2019. The move has sparked controversy, highlighting India's continued reliance on foreign arms despite its advanced defence capabilities. In this episode of "In Our Defence," host Dev...

In the world of special operations, India is home to three elite forces: the Garud (Air Force), MARCOS (Navy), and Para SF (Army). Each unit has its own specialisation—Para SF excels in high-altitude, counter-insurgency, and surgical strikes; MARCOS are maritime experts; and Garud Commandos focus on airfield protection and counter-hijacking. In response to popular demand from our listeners, this episode delves into the Para SF, offering insights into their vital role in national...

What exactly is air defence? At its core, it intercepts incoming aerial threats such as aircraft, drones, or missiles. But, achieving this requires sophisticated technology and coordination. So, why do you need a wide range of air missile systems? What different air defence systems do we have, and is the Russian-made S-400 system, hailed for its advanced capabilities and 450-kilometer range, our best? Host Dev Goswami and Shiv Aroor explain the concept, with Shiv elaborating on the...

The skies over Sulur came alive with the launch of Exercise Tarang Shakti, India’s first multinational air exercise, on August 6 in Tamil Nadu. This significant event, the largest of its kind in India, is taking place in two phases: the first in Sulur from August 6 to 14 and the second in Jodhpur from August 29 to September 14. Ten countries, including Australia, France, Germany, and the USA, are participating with their aircraft, while 18 others are observing. But what exactly is an air...

It’s been 25 years since the Kargil war. We delve into the factors behind India's victory and the major intelligence failures that caused the conflict. The critical lapse was the intelligence oversight that allowed Pakistani forces to occupy high positions unchallenged, particularly due to inadequate surveillance during winter months. We address pertinent questions: What major intelligence failures led to the Kargil War? How did young officers contribute to India's victory? What were the...

The Indian Navy’s INS Brahmaputra warship, docked at the Mumbai Dockyard for refitting, was overturned earlier this week under mysterious circumstances. What started with a fire on Sunday has led to significant damage and the disappearance of a sailor. With a Rear Admiral now probing the incident, what are the implications for the ship's future usability and the broader safety and maintenance of Indian naval vessels? Salvaging the Brahmaputra is a challenging and costly endeavour. But such...

83 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft are awaiting American F404 engines, causing a 9-month delay and uncertainty over the indigenous fighter aircraft program. With rising concerns over delays, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) aims to deliver the first aircraft by August 15. Tejas Mark 1A program is a pivotal project for the IAF. But why the delay? Who is to blame? Host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor explain how these delays stem from production bottlenecks, certification issues, and a...

PM Modi was in Moscow this week, marking his first visit to Russia since the country invaded Ukraine in 2022. The hug between Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin caused a global stir, drawing particular ire from Western nations and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor delve into the relationship between India and Russia, analysing how it has evolved over various Indian administrations. Looking at it more militarily, the defence duo...

India and France are negotiating a Rs 50,000-crore deal for 26 Rafale Marine (Rafale M) fighter jets. If finalised, these aircraft will be deployed on the Indian Navy's aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. Why the Rafale M? The French Rafale M emerged as the frontrunner against its competitor, the American Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet. Why does the Navy need a new fighter jet? The Indian Navy’s current fleet, primarily composed of ageing Sukhoi jets, is becoming obsolete....

India and the United States are progressing in their discussions to collaboratively produce the latest generation of Stryker armoured infantry combat vehicles (ICVs). Initially, the project will involve a limited off-the-shelf acquisition of Strykers through the US Foreign Military Sales program. Subsequent phases will include joint production in India, culminating in the co-development of future versions. Host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor discuss the American Stryker combat...

This week, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited announced a significant development: the Defence Ministry has issued a Request for Proposal for 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) as part of the government's push to boost defence indigenisation. Of these, 90 will be allocated to the Indian Army and 66 to the Indian Air Force (IAF). Currently, 15 Prachands are in service with the IAF and 5 with the Indian Army. The LCH was formally named Prachand in October 2022. What Makes the Prachand...

In just three days, Jammu & Kashmir has been struck by four terror attacks. A tragic incident in the Reasi district saw a bus carrying pilgrims from the Shiv Khori temple to Katra targeted, resulting in nine deaths and 41 injuries. The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility. Further terror struck Doda and Kathua, where an attack claimed the life of a CRPF jawan and injured six security personnel. Another operation in Saida Sukhal village, Kathua, led to a civilian injury and the...

Recent months have seen Boeing, the world’s largest aerospace firm, embroiled in multiple safety concerns, accidents, and reputational crises. Why is Boeing under intense scrutiny? What critical issues is it facing? In this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor delve into these pressing issues on their show, questioning the apparent decline of this once-revered company. What has led to Boeing's reputation plummeting to such lows? A series of incidents have spotlighted...

The election season in India is heating up, and the rhetoric around Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) is becoming increasingly prominent among politicians. No surprises there! Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently addressed opposition allegations of constitutional changes by emphasising the government's focus on integrating PoK into India. Echoing this sentiment, Union Home Minister Amit Shah affirmed that PoK is "part of India", highlighting that people across the border in PoK are...