India is in the process of creating the Future Infantry Soldier As a System (F-INSAS). The conceptual framework of the project is to impart increased protection (survivability), lethality with a range of higher caliber infantry weapons, mobility and the ability to fight at night. It is, thus, an amalgamation of each of these capabilities on each soldier of the Indian Army from 2020 onwards. Of special interest is ‘protection’ given that lethality has increased in… Read More »Body armor

The efficacy of an attack helicopter or a helicopter gunship is best understood in pugilistic terminology. Where it enjoys the advantage of reach (the range of its onboard weaponry be it the gun or missiles/rockets) it is king but where the enemy has the greater reach the helicopter can become a coffin. As India learned to its dismay in Kargil where a helicopter and an aircraft were lost to shoulder-fired Stinger surface-to-air missiles after which… Read More »Chopper needs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s brainwave to allow a transplantation of population in Arunachal Pradesh is a strategy that appears to have been only partially thought through. It appears to be moulded to the concept enunciated during border talks with China that populated areas would not be disturbed in any future border demarcation. In Arunachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has spoken of populating the many open spaces that lie in that border State largely… Read More »Border settlement

In April 2010, Chinese Rear Admiral Zhang Huachen, then-deputy commander of the East Sea Fleet of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), declared: “We are going from coastal defence to far sea defence. With the expansion of the country’s naval strategy of the country’s economic interests, the navy wants to better protect the country’s transportation routes and the safety of our major seal lane.” This statement symbolized China’s departure from Deng Xiaoping’s dictum “Hide brightness,… Read More »Maritime challenges

The then Chief of Army Staff General V K Singh had warned almost three years ago that Indian Army’s air defence system has become obsolete. This was a startling admission coming from the Chief of Army Staff, who is generally not supposed to reveal such shortcomings openly on such sensitive issues relating to the actual position of the existing armaments. However, it is now known fact that he was just stating the truth as India… Read More »VSHORAD system

The scramble for the acquisition of the very short range air defence (VSHORAD) system began when it became known that Pakistan has developed the Nasr tactical nuclear missile. The four-barreled missile system is intended to pulverize mechanized infantry and armor as it is threatened by India’s ‘Cold Start’ doctrine. The doctrine was designed after the extremely long time it took to deploy Indian troops and its strike corps along the international border and the Line… Read More »SAM deployment

The Indian Navy’s Sukanya and Saryu class of offshore patrol vessels give India a trans-oceanic capability of sea control, sea denial and protection of vital sea lanes of communications. With the recent acquisition of the Italian built replenishment ships capable of transferring large amounts of food, water, fuel and ammunition, the Indian Navy can maintain a presence in either the Pacific Ocean or the Atlantic Ocean for considerable period of time. Lightly armed as a… Read More »Sea patrol

The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) of the ministry of Commerce and Trade has delivered an old wine in the same bottle but to a new consumer, with the strong belief that the wine will be consumed this time. Since the new Narendra Modi led NDA government is talking about the urgent need to revive the manufacturing sector and considering ways and means to remove barriers in encouraging private defence industry, removal of… Read More »FDI in defence

With the change of Indian leadership after a decade, the international community is closely observing the strategic orientation of the new government. Congratulatory messages are flowing to the new Prime Minister from all corners of the world, seeking stronger economic and strategic ties but the strategic calculus of the world will depend much on the new Indian government’s acumen in delicate handling of its policy towards declining super power US or Russia which is trying… Read More »Challenges for Modi

Establishing air supremacy is the primary mission of any air force hence the air to air combat is often dubbed as the cat and mouse game in the skies. The ability to detect the enemy aircraft before being detected and immediate release of on board air to air missile will provide a critical edge to the air warriors. Air forces world over have been upgrading their air combat capability with more and more advanced platforms… Read More »Air to air combat