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...

Where is the conflict in Gaza heading? After seven months of the Israel-Hamas war, are we witnessing the beginning of the end, or is it a war with no foreseeable conclusion? Why does Netanyahu persist in his stance despite mounting international pressure? Is his stubbornness a response to the intelligence lapse exposed by the October 7 Hamas attack, or is it part of a calculated strategy aimed at achieving Israel's "objectives"? What comes after Israel fulfils its current objectives? Host...

In this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor delve into India's nuclear submarine program, discussing its limited fleet despite a vast coastline of 6700 km. Why does a country with such a significant maritime border suffer from "sea blindness"? The Indian Navy, the smallest among the three armed forces, seems disproportionally under-equipped given the strategic importance of its maritime domain. So, what factors contributed to this stagnation? India currently boasts only...

In this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence enthusiast Shiv Aroor delve into the cutting-edge advancements in India's missile programs and the coveted missile technology programs at large. They examine two significant tests: the successful launch of the indigenous Nirbhay cruise missile and a new variant of the Medium-Range Ballistic Missile, both of which showcase India's technological prowess. Why is the Nirbhay test off Odisha's coast a monumental achievement for India? Why is...

The Indian Air Force is preparing for a significant upgrade with the upcoming test of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)'s Astra Mark 2 air-to-air missile. This missile, capable of hitting targets up to 130 km away, is a game-changer for India's air combat capabilities. The DRDO has been developing these missiles since 2001 to engage distant targets effectively. In this episode, Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor discuss the importance of long-range missiles like...

In the heat of election season, a recent report from The Guardian has sparked controversy. It claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office ordered assassinations in Pakistan, as revealed by Indian and Pakistani intelligence sources. According to the report, the Research & Analysis Wing (RAW), an agency that PM Modi's office directly controls, had undertaken the strategy to "eliminate terrorists living on foreign soil". However, the report contained many glaring errors, not only...

This week, China released a fresh list of 'renamed' places in Arunachal Pradesh. This was yet another attempt by Beijing to assert its claim over the north-eastern Indian state that for long China has claimed to be its "integral part". India called China's move to rename the places "senseless", saying, "Assigning invented names will not alter the reality that Arunachal Pradesh is, has been, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. The development brings into focus the...

Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, former chief of Air Staff, recently made headlines by joining the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In 2014, former Army Chief, General VK Singh, had also joined the party before the Lok Sabha elections. He had cited the BJP as the "only party" in India embodying nationalism, and not only did he join the party but he also clinched a ministerial role. In this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor discuss the trend of ex-military chiefs...

Ever wondered what a high-tech futuristic modern war would look like, especially with Artifical Intelligence coming in? Where might conflicts arise, and who will be involved? How will these wars unfold, and what technologies will shape them? On this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor try to visualise the multifaceted nature of future warfare, from economic tactics to space militarisation and beyond. Shiv suggests that the current India-China standoff is just a glimpse...

From an ambitious fighter jet project to a landmark missile test, the last few days marked important milestones for the nation’s defence. India test-launched the nuclear capable Agni-V missile in a ‘multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle’, or MIRV, avatar. Just days before, the government gave the all-clear for the development of the AMCA, or Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, a fifth-generation fighter jet that will feature cutting-edge technology. On this episode of In Our...

This week, the Indian Navy made significant moves. They officially launched the first squadron of MH 60R Seahawk helicopters, boosting their surveillance and combat abilities at sea. The commissioning ceremony for the INAS 334 'Seahawks' naval air squadron took place at INS Garuda in Kochi. In addition, India opened a new naval base on Minicoy Island in the Indian Ocean, near the Maldives, amidst strained relations. This base, INS Jatayu, is strategically important, being India's furthest...

This week, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor delve into the harrowing events of November 26, 2008, when 10 Pakistani terrorists infiltrated south Mumbai via the sea, launching a series of devastating attacks. Recounting the gruesome assault orchestrated by the Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which claimed 166 lives and left over 300 injured, Shiv shares his firsthand experience of being present outside the Trident-Oberoi on Marine Drive that fateful...

This week, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor talk about India's nuclear setup. They dive into why India decided to go nuclear back in the 1980s and 1990s, explaining the concept of the nuclear triad. What does it mean, and why has it been so challenging to complete the submarine part of this triad? And why do we need submarines like the INS Arihant or INS Arighat to finish the triad? What exactly can India do with its nuclear weapons? And why is there so much secrecy...

In January 2020, General Bipin Rawat became the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Indian Armed Forces. However, his tenure was tragically cut short by a helicopter crash in December 2021. The position remained vacant for almost nine months until General Anil Chauhan took over. Why did it take so long to fill the CDS position after General Rawat's passing? Was there genuine effort to reach political consensus earlier? There were also concerns whether the CDS post was created solely...

Indian army chiefs have consistently emphasised the sensitivity of the India-China situation for the past four years. What is the current ground situation, and why is it unfavorable for India with the looming Chinese threat? Host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor delve into these questions in this episode. Numerous reports have been of Chinese "spy ships" in the Indian Ocean region. What defines these "spy ships," and why isn't India's response widely discussed in the media,...

We live in an age where drones are everywhere. In this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor delve into the world of UAVs or UAS, commonly known as drones. These unmanned air systems have played pivotal roles in global events, from the U.S. war on terror to conflicts in Ukraine, Israel-Hamas, and Azerbaijan-Armenia. Despite their ubiquitous presence, popular culture and mainstream defense writing lag in portraying the significance of these non-human aircraft. Why? While...

In this Republic Day special, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor analyse the delayed progress of PM Modi's 'Atmanirbharta' in defence. Why the prolonged wait? What's the stark reality we must confront? Why are we still dependent on Russian equipment even now? Why is self-reliance a painful birthing process? The episode starts with reflections on the Republic Day fanfare, notably the annual parade at Kartavyapath. Amidst the grand spectacle, critics question the hefty costs. Is...

The Middle East, also referred to as West Asia, is on fire. In the three months since the Gaza-based terrorist group Hamas launched a dastardly attack on Israel, events in the region have started resembling a 'World War' but perhaps not in the sense that we understand the term. On Episode 7 of In Our Defence, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor break down the goings on in the Middle East, starting with the Iranian air strikes into "terrorist" camps in neighbouring Pakistan. While...

The 2019 Balakot airstrike was a significant military operation conducted by the Indian Air Force in response to the Pulwama terrorist attack. This marked the first time since the 1971 War that Indian aircraft had conducted an airstrike on Pakistani soil. The strike targeted a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot, Pakistan. The Indian Mirage-2000 fighter pilots carried out the airstrike, aiming to eliminate terrorist threats. The following day, the Pakistan Air Force retaliated...

In 2024, India's focus on strengthening its air power centers around the Tejas, its indigenous fighter aircraft. The Defence Ministry's approval for acquiring 97 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk 1A marks a significant step in bolstering the Indian Air Force's capabilities. With just two Tejas squadrons currently in operation, the Air Force faces the challenge of maintaining its strength at 31 squadrons, well below the standard requirement of 42. In a discussion between India Today TV Output’s...

In this episode, India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor Shiv Aroor and host Dev Goswami explore the complexities of Jammu and Kashmir, focusing on the volatile districts of Rajouri and Poonch. They analyze a recent deadly ambush in Poonch that claimed the lives of four Indian Army jawans and the mysterious deaths of three civilians in Baffliaz, allegedly due to torture during Army questioning. What makes Rajouri-Poonch, situated near the Line of Control, such a contentious...

Dawood Ibrahim, the notorious figure behind the 1993 Mumbai blasts, is once again in the spotlight amid claims of being poisoned. Designated a global terrorist in 2003 by both India and the United States, Ibrahim carries a staggering $25 million bounty on his head due to his alleged orchestration of the 1993 Bombay bombings and involvement in various crimes such as extortion, murder, and smuggling. Although rumours abound regarding his alleged poisoning and subsequent hospitalisation,...

In this episode, India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor Shiv Aroor joins host Dev Goswami to discuss a speculative yet intriguing topic – the mysterious deaths of individuals predominantly linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed or Lashkar-e-Taiba, deemed as anti-India elements, occurring in locations like Canada, the UK, and predominantly in Pakistan. The most controversial case being that of Hardeep Singh Nijjar,  a Sikh separatist leader and Canadian citizen. Canada PM Trudeau made a series...

In Our Defence team is back and how! With a different avatar! In Season 2, India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor, Shiv Aroor, joins host Dev Goswami, where they will talk of more guns and battles, wars and coups, interspersed with tales of glory from the battlefields! This episode delves into major global events—Russia's war in Ukraine, the India-China conflict, and the Israel-Hamas conflict. Shiv provides on-the-ground insights from Tel Aviv, analysing whether Israel, in...

In Episode 82 of "In Our Defence," we share a special and bittersweet moment as we bid farewell to our insightful "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla, as he embarks on new endevaours. Our Host Dev Goswami, and Abhishek take a nostalgic journey, reflecting on the highs and lows of the episodes done so far. What are the key takeaways from the diverse themes covered thus far? They delve into significant global conflicts, including India-China, Russia-Ukraine, and Israel-Hamas, raising essential...