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Particle soldiers

Implications of nanotechnology in military applications With the increase in advanced research and rapid use of nanotechnology for military purposes, the fundamental meaning of warfare is changing due to high level of success in developing lethal weapons and platforms which can withstand massive ordnance burst and cause high intensity damage. Nanotechnology is giving the military application a new meaning which will give the user a range of options to destroy targets from thousands of miles… Read More »Particle soldiers

Mortgaging India

UPA’s mishandling of nuclear liability law The late September visit of the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to USA was marked by the signing of a preliminary commercial agreement with USA for a civilian nuclear power project in a “great hurry.” What are the terms and conditions covering the deal that India’s state owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) had entered into with the Westinghouse of USA for the setting up a mega… Read More »Mortgaging India

Ignorant approach

Need for the acquisition of submarine rescue ship The tragic accident in the Indian Navy  Kilo class Submarine INS Sindhurakshak has once again focused on the need to have a Submarine Rescue Vessel, which the Indian Navy  has been urging the government to acquire. In view of India’s plans to acquire several more nuclear submarines, this becomes all the more necessary to have this facility. Since accidents in submarines are very rare, the government has… Read More »Ignorant approach

Major setback

The tragic accident and end of INS Sindhurashak At a time when the Indian Navy was celebrating the launch of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and the activation of the reactor of the indigenous nuclear powered submarine INS Arihant, the explosion and the devastating fire incident on India’s frontline attack submarine INS Sindhurakshak came as a big blow to the morale of Indian naval and strategic community. The tragic incident on the night… Read More »Major setback

High ambitions

India’s nuclear powered aircraft carrier Though India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier is still suffering the birth pangs, almost five years before delivery, Indian naval planners and warship designers have started dreaming of a nuclear powered aircraft carrier. When specifically asked about the possibility of India undertaking the ambitious program to have a nuclear powered carrier, the Indian Navy  Vice Chief Vice Admiral  R K  Dhowan did not specifically deny the existence of such a program… Read More »High ambitions

Timely steps

Era of unmanned coastal surveillance Many countries including India are facing the constant threats of terrorist infiltration via sea route. The real time monitoring of the thousands of vessels, big and tiny, are posing a big challenge to the security managers. After the November, 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai, the Indian defence establishment has been on an overdrive to install surveillance systems on its 7000 kms long coastlines, comprising mainly the coastal radars but India… Read More »Timely steps

Bridging gap

Coastal patrolling and unmanned surveillance After the 2008 terrorist attack on Mumbai and the feverish efforts launched to close the gaps in the maritime security infrastructure, India has come a long way in ensuring that another such attack from the sea will be more difficult to execute. How synergetic will be the effort will only be known when the next crisis occurs and we have another round of blame game and accusations as happened after… Read More »Bridging gap

Failing to track: Surveillance at sea and network connectivity

The state of maritime surveillance and security appears to be no better than it was when Pakistani terrorists came into Mumbai on 26 November 2008. The case in point is the appearance of MT Pavit on the seafront after drifting for about a month in the north Arabian Sea, still drifting from one beach to another endangering shipping in an already accident prone Mumbai harbour. The Indian Navy which was made responsible for the total… Read More »Failing to track: Surveillance at sea and network connectivity

Brewing trouble: Growth of Boko Haram in Nigeria

The face that Boko Haram has not only survived the harsh reprisals of 2009 but has also since been able to expand both the reach and scope of its operations ought to be a wakeup call to both the Nigerian government and international community. The suicide bombings targeting symbols of Nigerian state authority and international engagement represent a major advance in Boko Haram’s capabilities and a significant shift in its message. The upsurge in attacks… Read More »Brewing trouble: Growth of Boko Haram in Nigeria

Getting embroiled: War in Kachin could spell disaster

The war in Kachin commenced in June 2011 after the 17-year old ceasefire between the Burmese government and Kachin rebels was broken. The Kachin people in Burma have been demanding autonomy for the past six decades but have been left disappointed. Being a resource-rich region and bordering China, Kachin becomes very important geo-politically. The war between the Burmese tatmadaw and Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the military wing of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), has been… Read More »Getting embroiled: War in Kachin could spell disaster