Experts Speak
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April 28, 2025
Future of Space Tourism
By Air Vice Marshal Sanjay Bhatnagar (Retd)Space tourism is rapidly growing, driven by private sector innovation, with market projections estimating $4 billion in annual revenue by 2030 and a broader $1 trillion global space industry by 2040.
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April 28, 2025
Sixth Generation Fighter
By Air Marshal R.G.K. Kapoor (Retd)In a landmark decision reshaping future air combat, President Trump has awarded Boeing the contract to build the F-47 — the world's first sixth-generation fighter jet
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April 25, 2025
Uri, Pulwama and now Pahalgam
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The Pahalgam attack on civilians, the deadliest of its kind since the September 2008 Mumbai attacks, specifically targeted male Hindus
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April 23, 2025
India's Arctic Outreach
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)A melting Arctic and the race for Greenland will be focus of the Strategic Summit during Prime Minister Modi's Norway Visit
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April 17, 2025
The Phantom of a European Army
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Under the influence of the American 'Deep State', EU and NATO leaders now invoke the spectre of a non-existent European Army in a desperate bid to stay relevant and gain a seat at a negotiating table
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March 27, 2025
Indigenous Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) require a precise and high-performance terminal guidance system with advanced sensors and in-flight calibrations in order to successfully hit a moving vessel at sea
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March 27, 2025
Cutting Edge Weaponry - Ukraine War
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Russia-Ukraine war has become a crucial testing ground for developing, testing and deploying the latest weapons and new military technologies
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March 27, 2025
Britain's Nepalese Troops
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Britain has decided to expand the role of Nepalese troops in the British Army and decided to form a new British Army regiment specialising in artillery, marking a historic shift in their traditional infantry role
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March 27, 2025
New Self-Propelled AD Gun Missile System
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)DRDO could potentially deliver a prototype within 18 months, possibly by mid-2026 because the project leverages existing proven technologies
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March 27, 2025
Indigenous AIP System
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has marked the commencement of production for the first Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system for the Indian Navy's Scorpene-class submarines
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March 27, 2025
More Eyes in The Sky
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the procurement of six additional Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C), which would be an upgraded version of the current two in-service India-developed systems called the 'Netra'
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March 24, 2025
Op Pawan: 35 Years Since
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)For reasons best known to the power that be, there is no annual homage at the National War Memorial to honour the supreme sacrifice made by 1,171 soldiers and officers 'killed in action' during the 32-months-long operation
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March 14, 2025
Addressing IAF's Combat Capability Gap
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)It is well known that the fighter squadron strength of the Indian Air Force is down to around 30 compared to the authorised strength of 42 squadrons because of intransigence and political indecision
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March 14, 2025
Sheshnaag-150 & Abhimanyu N-CCAV
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Significant breakthroughs in indigenous defence technology have been achieved with the Sheshnaag-150 Long Range Drone System and the Naval Collaborative Combat Air Vehicle (N-CCAV)
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March 14, 2025
China's Teesta Project
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh is 'manufacturing' consent of locals along the Teesta River to arouse anti-India slogans, facilitating the project to be awarded to China
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March 14, 2025
Rafale M Jet Fighters Deal
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Rafale M will replace the ageing MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB aircraft currently operated by the Navy's INAS 300 'White Tigers' and INAS 303 'Black Panthers' squadrons
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March 14, 2025
Boosting Air Defence Network
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indian Armed Forces are overhauling their vintage air defence mechanism aiming to enhance the effectiveness of existing systems, advanced missiles, jammers and radars and induct new anti-aircraft systems
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March 14, 2025
Indigenous Hypersonic Missile
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The HGV can perform terminal manoeuvres and follow highly complex and adaptive flight paths. With a demonstrated range of at least 1,500 km, the missile will have several warhead configurations for use in various roles.
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February 27, 2025
UN Warns India of Terror Threat
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The UN report highlighted the adaptability of IS and Al-Qaida, noting that these terror groups remain resilient despite counter-terrorism efforts
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February 27, 2025
Aero Engine Technology
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Ownership of engine technology, developed through collaboration, will provide India with strategic independence in designing, developing, and producing military jet engines for domestic use and exports
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February 27, 2025
X-61, Jet-Powered UAV & Ice Breaker Missile
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India continues its advancements in UAV and missile technology with indigenous developments and the Make in India initiative
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February 27, 2025
Indo-US Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA)
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)This Indo-US defence partnership marks a notable shift in US-India relations, reflecting a commitment to deeper strategic ties and collaborative defence manufacturing
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February 27, 2025
MArG 45 Mounted Gun System
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)MArG 45 is the only 45mm mounted gun system in the world and exemplifies ingenuity in challenging conventions, integrating firepower, range, and mobility into a single, ground-breaking platform
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February 27, 2025
India's First Private PSLV
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The first Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle is undoubtedly a giant leap for India's private space sector as it has been entirely manufactured by private industry, reflecting the nation's increasing confidence in its homegrown space capabilities
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February 15, 2025
Somber Mood in Kiev
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The contours of Russia-Ukraine war's expected closure have sent shockwaves through European capitals and Kiev is in mourning. President Zelensky's worst fears have come true. Playing puppet came with a price, at times at great cost to a country and its people.
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February 14, 2025
Next Generation Submarine – Project 76
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The government has approved a $9 billion deal involving MDL and Germany's TKMS for the design and construction of the next generation submarine under Project 76
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February 14, 2025
Drones, Anti-Drone & Missiles
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The number of drone startups in India has more than doubled in the past three years to 398, surpassing China's 298
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February 14, 2025
Space Response & Satellite Spectrum
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Global race for advanced satellite communication is heating up, redefining the future of space technology
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February 14, 2025
The Hypersonic Challenge
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India needs to be very serious about such threats along the borders, especially when 24x7 satellite cover along all land borders is still 8-10 years away
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February 14, 2025
Cross Border Tunnels
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India needs to be very serious about such threats along the borders, especially when 24x7 satellite cover along all land borders is still 8-10 years away
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February 14, 2025
SANJAY Battlefield Surveillance System
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)SANJAY is an automated system that integrates the inputs from all ground and aerial battlefield sensors and fusing them to produce a Common Surveillance Picture of the battlefield
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February 4, 2025
Defence Budget 2025-2026
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that overall allocation for defence is 9.53 per cent more than the budget estimates of FY 2024-25, aimed at addressing critical capability gaps through big-ticket acquisitions in the current and subsequent financial years
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January 27, 2025
Combat Fleet of IAF
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India has failed to get its act together over the last decade to boost IAF's combat strength at the cost of national security
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January 27, 2025
Electronic Warfare Weaponry
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)America's deployment of Remote Modular Terminals (RMTs) in the Indo-Pacific is sure to trigger an electronic war between the US and China, the Indo-Pacific being as important to China as the US, if not more
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January 27, 2025
Navy Adds 3 Warships
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Commissioning of these three naval platforms is being called a timely response to Pakistan Navy's accelerated, China-backed modernisation. But at the same time, India does have some catching up to do.
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January 27, 2025
Bhargavastra, Pinaka III & Golden Eagle
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India is making significant strides in indigenous defence development with the successful testing of advanced weapon systems, aimed at strengthening the operational readiness of the Indian Armed Forces
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January 27, 2025
New War Doctrine and Vision 2047
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Officially to be released by mid-2025, 'Vision 2047' is a long-term plan that aims to define the role of the Armed Forces in 2047 and guide preparations for future conflicts
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January 27, 2025
The Akashteer-IACCS Combo
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indian Army and the IAF are actively working towards enhancing their joint operational capabilities in air defence with the integration of the Army's 'Akashteer' air defence system with the Integrated Air Command & Control System (IACCS), an automated Air Defence Command and Control Centre for controlling and monitoring of air operations by the IAF
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January 14, 2025
India-Indonesia Relations
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The India-Indonesia friendship, elevated to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018, has widened bilateral relations to include defence industry collaboration, science, and technology
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January 14, 2025
China's Gargantuan Mega Dam
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The project would allow China to control the timing and quantity of water flows to South Asia, with enormous consequences to the region's agriculture and freshwater supplies
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January 14, 2025
Make in India Small Arms
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Major developments in the private defence manufacturing sector have demonstrated their capability to domestically manufacture small arms for the Indian Armed Forces
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January 14, 2025
ISRO's SpaDeX Mission
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The SpaDeX mission is designed to demonstrate essential technologies for future space missions, including satellite servicing and space station operations
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January 14, 2025
China's Two New Counties
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Announcement of two new counties by China, falling in Aksai Chin region of Ladakh, came as a shock to the Indian Government
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January 14, 2025
Z-Morh Tunnel in Kashmir Valley
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On January 13, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the strategic two-lane bi-directional 6.5 km-long Z-Morh tunnel between Gagangir and Sonamarg in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir
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December 26, 2024
Six Point India-China Border Deal
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives (SRs) of India and China, was the first in five years and focused on strengthening peace and finding a mutually acceptable resolution to the boundary question.
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December 26, 2024
Visit of Sri Lankan President
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)President Dissanayake's first state visit to India after Sri Lanka's recent elections focused on reconciliation, development, and defence cooperation
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December 26, 2024
China Swallowing Bhutan
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Over the years, China has occupied large swathes of territory in western Bhutan through salami-slicing, including areas like Doklam, Yakchu, and Langmarpo, even as boundary talks with Bhutan have continued for several years
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December 26, 2024
AI-Controlled Robotic Attacks & Air Defence
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Ukraine reportedly carried out the first attack exclusively using robotic systems near Lyptsi in the Kharkiv region, including drones equipped with machine guns, marking a possible milestone in robotic combined air and ground attacks
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December 26, 2024
Talibanisation of Bangladesh
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Jamaat-e-Islami is spearheading the radicalisation of youth in schools and colleges in Bangladesh, training some as potential suicide bombers, with Pakistan's ISI reportedly providing support for cross-border terrorist activities
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December 26, 2024
Starlink and Drones in Manipur
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)SpaceX founder Elon Musk has denied claims that Starlink devices are active in Manipur after the Army seized internet equipment resembling Starlink during a raid, stating that satellite beams have been turned off over India
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December 20, 2024
The Pushback
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The pushback against the global elite's agenda is now unfolding silently and powerfully through the democratic process of voting
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December 12, 2024
Tushil Boosts Indian Naval Power Further
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indian Navy is steadily augmenting its underwater, surface and aviation capabilities for a comprehensive naval deterrence
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December 12, 2024
Indigenous FRCV & NGMBT
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Prototypes are expected by 2027–28, with induction planned for 2030, marking a significant leap in India's armoured warfare capabilities
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December 12, 2024
From Gaganyaan to Shukrayaan and More
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)ISRO's 25-Year roadmap has ambitious plans for space exploration and a goal to enhance India's share in the global space economy
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December 12, 2024
The Invisible Factor
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Chimera, a Chinese metamaterial, promises invisibility across microwave, visible light, and infrared frequencies, inspired by chameleons, glass frogs, and bearded dragons
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December 12, 2024
The Aero Engine Conundrum
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The visit of HAL CMD to Russia's aircraft engine facilities and France's proposal for co-development of advanced engines, which is essential for India's aviation capabilities, has put the burden of an early decision on the policy makers
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December 12, 2024
AI Drones and AI Guns
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Artificial Intelligence is driving advancements in technology-enabled drone solutions while also developing innovative counter-drone systems for the Armed Force
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November 27, 2024
Showtime – Dnipro and Zhuhai
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Both Russia and China have demonstrated superior hypersonic weapon capabilities, leaving the US and NATO striving to catch up in a rapidly advancing arms race
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November 27, 2024
India-China Defence Ministers Meet
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun met for the first time after the India-China deal to resume patrolling in eastern Ladakh
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November 27, 2024
Hypersonic & Drone Wars
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India's hypersonic and drone capabilities are advancing but still require substantial development for credible deterrence against regional adversaries
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November 27, 2024
PROBA-3 ESA Satellite Launch
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)ESA's PROBA-3 mission, launched by ISRO’s PSLV-XL, aims to enhance solar research and space weather forecasting through artificial solar eclipses
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November 27, 2024
Integrated War and the Info Deluge
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The scale of data coming from thousands of sources is overwhelming, necessitating innovative systems like Human-Machine Teams and AI Walls to process intelligence effectively
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November 27, 2024
The ATAGS Boom
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The ATAGS project represents a landmark in India's indigenisation efforts under the 'Make in India' initiative, modernising the Indian Army's artillery capabilities
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November 22, 2024
1000 Days and Counting
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The war in Ukraine has entered a potentially dangerous phase, with the US approving the use of ATACMS missiles for attacks farther into Russia, escalating tensions
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November 15, 2024
Why a Trump Win Matters
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election, achieved despite formidable opposition and alleged deep-state interference, could prompt sweeping reforms in governance. His approach is expected to diverge sharply from past administrations, focusing on global challenges such as the Ukraine war, Middle East instability, radicalism, and tensions with China and Russia.
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November 14, 2024
China's Damning Cyber Prowess
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Chinese hacking group 'Salt Typhoon,' linked to China's Ministry of State Security, has conducted extensive cyber-espionage operations targeting US telecommunication infrastructure, political figures, and national security officials
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November 14, 2024
Whither DRDO Restructuring?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Despite forming 13 specialised committees for implementing the reforms, internal resistance from senior DRDO officials has significantly hindered progress, with reports indicating that the restructuring process is largely on hold
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November 14, 2024
Indigenous Asmi SMG & EVTOL Aircraft
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)These indigenous programmes mark a milestone in India's self-reliance in defence manufacturing
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November 14, 2024
Autonomous Platforms in Sea Warfare
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Indian Navy has successfully tested indigenous autonomous weaponised boat swarms (AWBS) with plans to deploy these for maritime and inland water security
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November 14, 2024
Make in India C295 Aircraft
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The C295 will replace the aging Avro-748 fleet, modernising the Indian Air Force's transport capabilities and enhancing maritime surveillance and reconnaissance roles for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard
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November 14, 2024
ISRO's Analogue Mission & BAS for Lunar Exploration
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)ISRO's analogue mission in Leh and the plans to establish the Bhartiya Antariksha Station (BAS) by 2035 aim to enhance capabilities in space exploration and contribute significantly to the global space economy
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October 26, 2024
BRICS Signals New World Order
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The 16th BRICS Summit, held in Kazan, Russia, highlighted the bloc's growth and resistance to Western financial hegemony, and with 13 new nations added as Partner Countries, showing the increasing global influence of BRICS
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October 26, 2024
Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) & BMD
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The SBS-III project, costing ₹26,968 crore, is expected to be completed in a decade and will provide dedicated surveillance capabilities for India's armed forces across land, sea, and air.
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October 26, 2024
75 BRO Projects Inaugurated
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted that these projects would enhance national defence preparedness and socio-economic progress in border areas, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Viksit Bharat by 2047.'
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October 26, 2024
India's Nuclear–Powered Submarines
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The SSNs will be 10,000-tonne vessels, powered by advanced pressurized water nuclear reactors, equipped with torpedoes and cruise missiles, and will feature endurance and stealth capabilities, making them difficult to detect and ideal for power projection
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October 26, 2024
Civil Helicopters for Army Logistics
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Indian Army plans to hire single-engine civil helicopters to operate in specific sectors such as Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, primarily for winter stocking, logistics, troop transport, and casualty evacuation
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October 26, 2024
Indo-US Semiconductor Fab
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The fab will reportedly be the world’s first “multichip military fab,” manufacturing chips for applications in night vision, missile seekers, space sensors, drones, military communication, radar, and renewable energy
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October 25, 2024
BRICS for Global Equity
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The BRICS Kazan summit has laid the groundwork for a more equitable world order, with plans for a unified clearing system, a BRICS Commodity Exchange, and a gold-backed BRICS currency
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October 14, 2024
First Tri-Service Future Warfare Course
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The United Service Institution of India (USI) conducted the first-ever Tri-Service Future Warfare Course, focusing on niche technologies for Armed Forces officers, conceptualised by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan
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October 14, 2024
China's Cyber Spy-Sabotage Network
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India's dependence on Chinese electronic components and machinery poses a significant risk, as China could potentially carry out extensive sabotage at critical moments
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October 14, 2024
Morocco Boosts Indian Defence Exports
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Tata is set to establish India's first overseas WhAP production plant in Morocco, with an annual capacity of 100 units, positioning India as a reliable defence supplier to other Middle East and African countries
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October 14, 2024
India-Maldives Relations Reset
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)President Mohamed Muizzu's visit to India signalled a reset in India-Maldives relations, following his earlier “India Out” stance during the Presidential race
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October 14, 2024
PLA's AI-Enabled Influence Operations
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The PLA justifies its social media manipulation efforts based on the perception that the US aims to undermine the CCP regime, leading to the development of AI-driven strategies, including social bots
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October 14, 2024
Future Ready Combat Vehicle
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The FRCV programme is critical for modernising the Indian Army’s armoured fleet, with a design that must incorporate technologies adaptable for the next 35-40 years.
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October 14, 2024
Litani's Litany of Woes
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Lebanon, marked by decades of conflict, foreign occupation, internal strife, and the current influence of Hezbollah, has rendered the state dysfunctional. Despite brief periods of peace, Lebanon's challenges persist, driven by regional power struggles, radical militias, and external interventions.
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September 28, 2024
Sixth QUAD Leaders' Summit
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The QUAD Leaders adopted the Wilmington Declaration, which outlined tangible projects benefiting partner countries across the Indo-Pacific
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September 28, 2024
Weaponised Electronic Devices
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Mossad operation demonstrated that all smart gadgets, or 'Internet of Things' devices, can be weaponised, opening a new phase of low-cost 5th Generation Warfare
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September 28, 2024
3D Printing in War
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Additive manufacturing, already adopted by the US military, offers flexibility, cost savings, and reduced logistical challenges by enabling the production of spare parts and tools on-demand
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September 28, 2024
New Truck-Mounted Howitzer
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has developed a new Truck-Mounted Howitzer (TMH) based on the ATAGS and compatibility with NATO ammunition, offering tactical and strategic mobility
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September 28, 2024
Major Space Projects Green-Lighted
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)These major space initiatives mark significant strides in India's space exploration, pushing the boundaries of planetary science and human spaceflight capabilities
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September 28, 2024
Indian Army's T-72 Tank Fleet
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India plans to modernise and export its older T-72 tanks, which have been in service for decades, to nations in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, where there is continued demand for these reliable combat vehicles
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September 23, 2024
Sri Lanka Turns a Page
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the Janatha Vimukti Peramuna (JVP) - a Marxist political party, was elected as Sri Lanka's new President, with policy pledges of tough anti-corruption measures, bigger welfare schemes and slashing taxes
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September 19, 2024
Putin & Lee Kuan
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)While Putin is often portrayed as a dictator with imperial ambitions, some argue his achievements for Russia bear similarities to Lee Kuan Yew's governance of Singapore
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September 14, 2024
Theaterisation on Anvil
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The broad theaterisation plan includes a Northern Theatre Command for the China border, a Western Theatre Command for the Pakistan border, and a Maritime Theatre Command for the Indian Ocean Region
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September 14, 2024
FRCVs and ADFCRs
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Armed Forces continue on their path to modernisation with the approval of 10 capital acquisition proposals worth ₹1,44,716 crore, with most of the purchases to come from indigenous sources
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September 14, 2024
SiG-716 and AK-203 Assault Rifles
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India signed a new deal to import 73,000 additional Sig Sauer assault rifles from the US necessitated by the delays in the production of AK-203 assault rifles by the Indo-Russian joint venture (IRRPL)
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September 14, 2024
China's LARID Radar
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Low Latitude Long Range Ionospheric Radar's (LARID) ability to detect plasma bubbles and stealth aircraft offers significant military implications, enhancing China's early warning capabilities and improving the performance of its radar systems, particularly for over-the-horizon detection
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September 14, 2024
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use in Military
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)AI integration in the military domain raises significant legal, security, and ethical concerns, especially regarding transparency, accountability, and bias, amplified in high-risk military contexts
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September 14, 2024
UUVs and Project-76 Submarines
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Indian Navy is preparing for future warfare by upgrading its unmanned underwater capabilities and building six next-generation diesel-electric attack submarines Project-76 (P-76)
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September 5, 2024
A September Revolution
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The German provincial elections could be remembered as the beginning of a broader political shift, influencing electoral agendas in other countries
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August 30, 2024
India's Balancing Act: Managing Strategic Dilemmas
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)In a rapidly evolving world, India's foreign policy pragmatism allows it to navigate complex global dynamics, seeking support from one or more great powers while retaining strategic autonomy
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August 25, 2024
Visit of Prime Minister Modi to Poland and Ukraine
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The visit was timed to balance India's ties with both Russia and the US, especially following Modi's Russia visit and the backlash from both Ukraine and the US
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August 25, 2024
Bad Vibes from Bangladesh
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which is pro-Pakistan and pro-China, is expected to gain influence, possibly canceling pacts signed with India, while China continues to provide military equipment and support to Bangladesh's armed forces
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August 25, 2024
Indian Army's Future Goals
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Indian Army's Vision@2047 is “to transform into a modern, agile, adaptive, technology-enabled, and self-reliant future-ready force, capable of deterring and winning wars in a multi-domain environment”
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August 25, 2024
More Howitzers, New Kamikaze Drone
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indian Army is upgrading its firepower, with several acquisitions in the pipeline, including the 155mm/52 Caliber Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) and Kamikaze drones
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August 25, 2024
Defence Minister Visits USA
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)During the visit, Rajnath Singh invited US defence companies to collaborate with Indian partners to accelerate the “Make in India” programme, aiming for joint co-development and co-production in defence technologies
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August 25, 2024
Navy's New ASBM and AUV
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Indian Navy is swiftly enhancing its defensive capabilities by developing anti-ship ballistic missile systems for naval protection and autonomous underwater vehicles for sub-surface reconnaissance.
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August 15, 2024
US Upsets Tejas Schedule
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The primary delay in delivering the Tejas Mk1A jets is due to General Electric (GE) not supplying the F404-IN20 engines, which are needed to power the aircraft
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August 15, 2024
Manipur's Baby Peace Step
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On August 1, 2024, the conflicting Meitei and Hmar of Jiribam District signed an agreement to end hostilities, a significant step towards restoring peace in Manipur
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August 15, 2024
State Visit of Vietnam's Prime Minister
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)During the visit, Prime Minister Modi highlighted Vietnam as an 'important partner' in India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision, underscoring the strong coordination between the two countries on regional matters
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August 15, 2024
Sukhoi-30 MKI Fighters' Upgrade
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The IAF's upgrade plans include integrating advanced radars, avionics, longer-range weapons, and indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar technology to maintain air superiority
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August 15, 2024
Indian Navy's Quest for Nuclear Submarines
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India's focus on nuclear submarines has intensified, especially after the end of the Russian Akula class submarine lease in 2021, leaving the Indian Navy without an SSN (nuclear attack submarine) in its fleet
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August 15, 2024
China's New Pangong Tso Bridge
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)China's construction of a new 400-meter bridge across Pangong Tso, with satellite images showing armoured vehicles on it, has strategic implications for faster PLA mobilisation and shifts the power balance in favour of China
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August 12, 2024
East Pakistan: Re-launched
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had claimed a few months back that 'conspiracies' were being hatched to topple her government and that she may be assassinated just like her father
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August 6, 2024
Making Sense of the Riots in Britain
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Anger on the streets has been piling up for a variety of reasons, including the failure of authorities to address the vulnerability of the local white population to migrants' crime
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July 31, 2024
Canals, Cycles & Cathedrals
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The Netherlands is yet another European state to have swung to the right after the far-right Freedom Party (PVV) won the largest number of seats in the national elections. The collapse of the Dutch government of Prime Minister Mark Rutte highlights how the issue of immigration has become a critical dynamic of European politics.
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July 23, 2024
First Defence Budget of NDA 3.0
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)In her seventh Union Budget presentation on July 23, 2024, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced no change in defence allocation from the ₹6.21 lakh crore allocated in the interim budget five months earlier, despite threats to India's national security increasing by the day
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July 23, 2024
Frontline Robots
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)In recent experiments, US Generals want to send robots to face the enemy's first bullets, as human casualties come with a significant price
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July 23, 2024
DEWS and EMP Weapons
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The significance of these capabilities cannot be overstated, as they hold the potential to reshape the landscape of defence technology and significantly enhance operational capabilities
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July 23, 2024
Camcopter S-100 under 'Make in India'
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Production of the Camcopter S-100 under the 'Make in India' initiative will boost India's military capabilities, supporting operations in challenging terrains and extreme climatic conditions
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July 23, 2024
India's AMCA
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The AMCA programme was launched in 2010 and is currently the only 5th generation fighter under development in India, aimed at performing multiple missions including air supremacy, ground strike, suppression of enemy air defence (SEAD), and electronic warfare (EW) missions
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July 23, 2024
Indo-Russian Joint Defence Ventures
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Indo-Russian bilateral relationship is described as time-tested, with Russia remaining a priority in India's foreign policy, highlighted by the agreement on military technical cooperation for the 2021-2031 decade
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July 11, 2024
Kargil...25 Years On
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)As we pay homage to the martyrs and recount their supreme sacrifice, it is also an occasion to reflect whether we as a country and as a society treat our armed forces veterans with care, compassion, and respect they deserve
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July 11, 2024
22nd India-Russia Annual Summit
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)During the bilateral and delegation-level discussions, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin appreciated the time-tested India-Russia relations based on trust, mutual understanding and strategic convergence, as also agreeing to make all efforts to optimise full potential of the strategic partnership
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July 11, 2024
Military Mobility
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)In combat, military mobility in terms of speed, stealth, survivability, swiftness, and operational mobility are extremely important and foundational for the operational success of any professional military
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July 11, 2024
Pakistan – Talibanisation & counter-terrorism
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Shatif has approved a new counter-terrorism (CT) strategy, Operation ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’, to combat extremism and terrorism in a decisive manner
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July 11, 2024
Nuclearisation of Space
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Outer Space Treaty prohibits nuclear weapons in space and limits the use of celestial bodies to peaceful purposes, raising questions about the weaponisation of space through nuclear power plants on the moon
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July 11, 2024
Joint Stryker ICV Production
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The project is in three-phases - limited off-the-shelf purchase of Stryker ICV under America's foreign military sales (FMS) programme; joint production in India, and; co-development of futuristic armoured versions of Stryker ICV
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July 11, 2024
China's VLEO Satellites
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)China's plan to establish a constellation of 300 VLEO satellites needs to be viewed in the backdrop of its expansionist plans, aggressive moves, augmenting existing 24x7 satellite coverage of border areas and establishment of an Information Support Force (ISF)
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June 28, 2024
Europe Goes Downhill
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Europe grapples with mounting divisions within the European Union and NATO, while facing a barrage of challenges on multiple fronts
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June 25, 2024
25 Years Since Kargil Conflict
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Silver Jubilee of the Kargil Conflict must make us look back and seriously examine what lessons we need to draw and act upon to ensure our National Security
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June 25, 2024
India-US Review iCET Progress
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan visited India to conduct the first annual review of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), a collaboration between the two countries in advanced technological domains
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June 25, 2024
Indigenous ULUAV & SMG
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)These ULUAV and SMG orders highlight the growing prowess of local firms in innovating and demonstrates their capability to develop advanced defence technologies
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June 25, 2024
Rafale Marine for Indian Navy
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)France is India's closest strategic partner in Europe, and the acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for the Indian Navy is being negotiated, aiming to boost India's naval air power and carrier-borne capabilities.
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June 25, 2024
Counter Drone & Loiter Munitions for Army
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The indigenous development of counter-drone and loiter munitions for the Indian Army has seen significant advancements, all designed to enhance the Army's capabilities in modern warfare with advanced technologies
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June 25, 2024
State visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The highlight of Sheikh Hasina's visit was holding discussions with Narendra Modi and signing seven memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and renewing three previous agreements to solidify the bilateral relationship further.
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June 11, 2024
NDA 3.0 and Defence Allocations
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)With India already a $5 trillion economy and aiming for $7 trillion by 2030, an annual defence budget of 4-5 per cent of GDP is needed through the next decade.
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June 11, 2024
Drone Wall
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The goal of the drone wall is to use drones and other technologies to protect borders against provocations from unfriendly countries and to prevent smuggling.
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June 11, 2024
Russia Ups Aerial Combat in Ukraine
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The introduction of Russian Su-30SM2 fighter jets armed with R-37M missiles, capable of destroying F-16s from 300 km away, challenges the effectiveness of Western military aid to Ukraine.
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June 11, 2024
Exoskeletons for Indian Military
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Exoskeletons worn by soldiers augment their strength, enabling faster movements, increased load-bearing capacity, and ease of walking in high-altitude areas, reducing injuries.
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June 11, 2024
The Agnikul Space Odyssey
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The historic inaugural flight of Agnikul demonstrated indigenous technologies, gathered crucial data, and ensured optimal functioning of systems for the orbital launch vehicle 'Agnibaan' in the future.
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June 11, 2024
Reasi Terror Attack – Pak Signals India
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The terror attack coincided with the swearing-in ceremony of the new NDA government at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi, attended by numerous foreign dignitaries.
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June 10, 2024
India Votes for Vikas
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)India's economy has grown remarkably since 1991, transforming from $266 billion to $4.15 trillion, surpassing countries like France and the UK, and becoming the 3rd largest economy in PPP terms
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May 27, 2024
Dhaka in Dragon Shadow
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)China has significantly equipped the Bangladesh military, providing tanks, frigates, fighter jets, and submarines, recently completing the construction of the largest submarine base in South Asia
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May 27, 2024
China's Fujian & India's IAC-2
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)China's naval expansion underscores its strategic ambitions, necessitating India to bolster its maritime combat potential to maintain a balanced posture in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
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May 27, 2024
DRDO Restructuring on Track
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Transforming the DRDO into an efficient and agile R&D entity is vital for boosting India's defence manufacturing, increasing self-reliance, reducing imports, and achieving a defence export target of ₹35,000 crore by 2025
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May 27, 2024
Tunnel Warfare
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Tunnels have historically been used in warfare, from Assyrians in the 9th century BC to the Vietnamese Cu Chi tunnels during the Vietnam War and now in the Israel-Hamas war, illustrating their enduring strategic significance
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May 27, 2024
India's Sittwe-Chabahar Combo
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)With operational control over Sittwe Port in the east and Chabahar Port in the west, India strengthens its strategic presence in the region, ensuring diversified trade routes and bolstering its geopolitical stance
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May 27, 2024
India-UK Defence Talks
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Aero-engines, electric propulsion, missiles, power-packs, and maritime systems were identified as some of the focus areas of joint work
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May 27, 2024
Zia & Raisi: Uncanny Parallels
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The deaths of President Raisi of Iran and General Zia-ul-Haq of Pakistan in air accidents delayed the nuclear programmes of their respective countries by at least a decade, benefiting Israel, which opposes their acquisition of nuclear weapons
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May 14, 2024
China Breaks Up Strategic Support Force (SSF)
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Recent military reforms in China include the restructuring of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), with the disbandment of the Strategic Support Force (SSF) and the establishment of three independent branches: the Information Support Force (ISF), the Cyberspace Force, and the Aerospace Force
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May 14, 2024
BMP Drop from C-17 Aircraft
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The successful airdrop of a BMP from a C-17 transport aircraft using a Type V Heavy Drop System was conducted near the Pakistan border on April 25, 2024
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May 14, 2024
Genetic Weaponry
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is executing a plan to build a DNA database on every person on the planet with the intention of using genetic data for engineering new weapons and surveillance technologies
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May 14, 2024
Indigenous Drone Manufacturing
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Bharat Drone Shakti 2023 event, hosted by the Indian Air Force and the Drone Federation of India, showcased the participation of over 75 drone startups from across the country, indicating a burgeoning interest and activity in this sector
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May 14, 2024
Combat Transportation & Fire Power
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Indian Army plans to augment its armoured mobility through a two-pronged approach, by inducting Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICVs) co-developed with the US under 'Make in India', and by using indigenously designed and developed ICVs by the DRDO in collaboration with indigenous private industry
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May 14, 2024
The NATO Circus@75 & the War in Ukraine
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Despite its 75 years of existence, NATO is faltering in its mission to safeguard Europe, as Ukraine continues to struggle in the war against Russia, even with NATO's comprehensive support
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May 7, 2024
Humbug in Hamburg
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)From refugees to radicals, the recent protests in Hamburg show the stark irony and the hidden agendas behind the anti-Gaza protests
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April 26, 2024
India Gets Sittwe Port Operation
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India is securing its seas with maritime infrastructure development in the Indian Ocean Region
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April 26, 2024
Reviewing Air Defence
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Iran's aerial strike on Israel unveils global air defence realities and vulnerabilities
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April 26, 2024
Indigenous Missiles
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Empowering India's defence & security, indigenous missiles soar high
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April 26, 2024
Sea Drones
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Charting sustainable seas with India's solar-powered USV and the future of underwater defence
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April 26, 2024
Augmenting Military Helicopter Fleet
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)From Ukraine's frontlines to India's skies, a journey through Helicopter warfare and future strategies
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April 26, 2024
AI Generated Kills
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The use of AI on the battlefield is adouble-edged sword of innovation and risking human lives
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April 22, 2024
World's Highest Battlefield: Siachen@40
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Embracing the frozen frontier, Indian soldiers continue to control the world's highest and coldest battle ground through sheer courage and resilience
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April 13, 2024
China Clenches Colombo
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Charting the complex interplay between India, Sri Lanka, and China in the Indo-Pacific
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April 13, 2024
Beyond the Bengaluru Blast
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Unveiling the shadow of terror and the looming threat of Lone Wolf attacks
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April 13, 2024
Indigenous Laser Weapon System
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Directed Energy Weapons are redefining military strategies worldwide
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April 13, 2024
India Killing Terrorists Abroad
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Unmasking the truth behind Canada's claims on India's role in the killing of pro-Khalistan terrorists
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April 13, 2024
Akashteer Inducted
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The indigenous Akashteer project is poised to significantly enhance the operational efficiency and integration of the Army Air Defence (AAD) mechanism
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April 13, 2024
ISRO Rules Space
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)From Lunar dust to Martian skies, ISRO's stellar odyssey is pioneering India's journey beyond Earth
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April 10, 2024
Mayhem in Moscow
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The Moscow terror attack reflects an intricate interplay of tangled global power dynamics
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April 4, 2024
Why Nepal Slipped Away
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The relationship between India and Nepal has faced challenges in recent years. India will need to make significant efforts to strengthen its ties with Nepal, which has been increasingly drawn towards China.
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March 27, 2024
Muizzu's Shuffle
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Maldives' strategic balancing act in a sea of diplomacy
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March 27, 2024
Drone Interceptors
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India's Cutting-Edge Response to Drone Threats
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March 27, 2024
Indigenous Engines
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)A historic leap in indigenous engine technologies is empowering India's defence
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March 27, 2024
Indigenous 5th Generation AMCA
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Redefining Indian Airpower with a leap into 5th Generation Supremacy
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March 27, 2024
Army's LAC Corps
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Considering frequent face-offs with Chinese troops at certain disputed points along the LAC, the Army is converting its Bareilly- based Headquarters Uttar Bharat (HQ UB) area into a full-fledged operational corps, referring the formation to as Combatised UB Area
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March 27, 2024
Army Establishes STEAG
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Signals Technology Evaluation and Adaptation Group (STEAG) is mandated to nurture technologies spanning the complete spectrum of wired and wireless systems
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March 19, 2024
Financing America's Wars
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Decoding the nexus of global politics and economics with a look at the power of US Dollar, its role in modern day conflicts, and the shifting new world order
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March 14, 2024
Divyastra Launched
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)With implications extending beyond the South Asian region,India's successful test of the Agni-5 ballistic missile equipped with MIRV technology marks a significant leap in the nation's strategic capabilities
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March 14, 2024
More Wings to Navy, IAF and ICG
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India's strategic expansion sets sail for defence reinforcement
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March 14, 2024
Shielding Warships
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Deployment of IUHDSS, NADS and Shakti systems enhances the Indian Navy's combat preparedness against evolving aerial threats
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March 14, 2024
Military Jetpack and HAPS
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Next-Gen defence with DRDO's Electric Jetpack Prototype and High-Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS)
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March 14, 2024
Restructuring DRDO
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Transforming DRDO will chart a new course for enhanced indigenous defence capabilities
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March 14, 2024
Upgrading Armed Forces Combat Capabilities
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Bolstering India's war fighting ability with precision, power and innovation
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March 1, 2024
MILAN 2024 – the Twelfth Edition
By Vice Admiral A.K. Chawla (Retd)Displaying harmony on the high seas, Exercise MILAN 2024 showcases global maritime solidarity amidst rising challenges
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March 1, 2024
Is London Going the Lebanon Way?
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)London's current struggles with identity and internal strife draws parallels with the turbulent history of Lebanon, tracing its path from prosperity to peril
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February 27, 2024
India Triumphs – Qatar Releases Navy Men
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Defying diplomatic odds, India's remarkable rescue mission in Qatar results in securing the release of all eight Naval Veterans
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February 27, 2024
Zorawar Tank Trials
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Zorawar light tanks will boost the operational capabilities in adapting to changing situations with alacrity and dynamism
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February 27, 2024
Exercise Devil Strike
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)From the aerial induction of troops to the successful link-up with advancing ground forces, Exercise 'Devil Strike' highlights the strategic significance and the evolving role of airborne forces in safeguarding national security interests
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February 27, 2024
Survey Ship Sandhayak & SAMHO ATGM
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions, particularly with China's assertive naval presence, India bolsters its naval capabilities and arms development
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February 27, 2024
Exercise Vayu Shakti 2024
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The exercise involved 121 aircraft, including various indigenous and foreign platforms, aiming to demonstrate full-spectrum combat capabilities including IAF's proficiency in night operations and strategic reach
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February 27, 2024
INSAT-3DS Launched – More Following
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India's space endeavors see success with the INSAT-3DS mission, alongside ambitious plans from ISRO and the emergence of new space trends in 2024
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February 23, 2024
Ukraine Self-destructs
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)As the Russia-Ukraine war enters into the third year, we look at the human toll and Ukraine's tragic saga trapped in Global power plays
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February 16, 2024
Gaza: Negotiators' Nightmare
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Chasing the elusive solution for peace under the shadow of conflict
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February 13, 2024
Indo-French Defence Cooperation
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Strengthening bonds lead India-France strategic partnership to new heights
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February 13, 2024
Innovations Reshaping the Future of War
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Navigating the Next Generation of Warfare with Railguns, Hypersonic Shells, and Autonomous Drones
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February 13, 2024
3D Printed Bunkers at LAC
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indian Army pioneers 3D printed structures for building the future with defence innovations
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February 13, 2024
ATOR N1200 Special Vehicles and ATAGS
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indigenous JSW Group's ATOR N1200 SMV and DRDO's ATAGS howitzers fortify India's security
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February 13, 2024
US MQ-9B Drones For India
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Securing India's borders from the above with a strategic leap into Unmanned Aerial dominance
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February 13, 2024
PLA EW and Close Air Support
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Mastering the spectrum and redefining warfare in the Electromagnetic Age
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February 12, 2024
Interim Defence Budget 2024-25 — An Analysis
By Vice Admiral A.K. Chawla (Retd)Navigating the realities of India's Defence Budget and charting the road ahead
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January 29, 2024
Womanpower in Uniform: Republic@75
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)India takes a big stride into the future as Women Warriors lead the charge in India's 75th Republic Day Celebration
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January 27, 2024
Chinese-Checkers in Maldives
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)With its relationship with India facing headwinds, Maldives chart a new diplomatic course, embracing a strategic pivot amidst the rising tide of Chinese influence
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January 27, 2024
Quantum Communications for Armed Forces
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Concrete steps are being taken for integrated and advanced secure communication solutions in the evolving landscape of modern warfare
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January 27, 2024
More Military Innovations
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indian Military unleashes cutting-edge technology in its journey towards self-sufficiency and strategic advancements
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January 27, 2024
Drones in AI Shadow
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Unveiling the challenges and opportunities in the era of advanced military technology
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January 27, 2024
India-UK Maritime Cooperation
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Charting a course for Indo-Pacific security, UK's Littoral Response Group and Carrier Strike Group will visit the region in the near future
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January 27, 2024
TAPAS UAV Project Dropped
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The demise of TAPAS BH-201 Drone project raises questions on India's military technological advancements
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January 13, 2024
Maldivian Backfill
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India needs to navigate the ongoing geopolitical currents in Maldives and the growing shadow of China in the region, keeping its own strategic interests in mind
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January 13, 2024
ISRO – More Milestones
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)From Supernovas to Solar observatories, ISRO's cosmic endeavours are paving the way for a stellar future
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January 13, 2024
Women in Frontline Combat
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Navigating challenges and unveiling the realities of gender inclusion in India's armed forces
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January 13, 2024
Indigenous Rifle, UAV and Counter UAV
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Atmanirbhar Bharat is soaring as indigenous UGRAM assault rifle and Drishti 10 Starliner drone mark major advances in domestic defence technology
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January 13, 2024
Boosting IAF's Heavy Lift Capability
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India's strategic overhaul of Mi-26 Helicopters enhances IAF's heavy-lift capabilities and paves the way for unmatched heavy-lift synergy with Chinooks
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January 13, 2024
Sea Rescue by MARCOS
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indian Navy's daring rescue mission and increased vigilant stand against Pirates and drone strikes in the Arabian Sea
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January 10, 2024
India's Strategic Islands
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)From tourist havens to strategic assets, unlocking the potential of India's islands, harnessing them for prosperity and security
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December 27, 2023
Is America Double Timing India?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Evaluating the intricate landscape of India-US relations amidst the complexities of defence, trade, and geopolitical challenges
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December 27, 2023
Boosting Innovations
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Innovations under Make in India are bridging defence and technology
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December 27, 2023
Sea Power & Exercise MILAN 2024
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Indian Ocean, comprising 19.5 per cent of the global ocean area and surrounded by 38 littorals, is becoming a focal point of conflict, particularly with increasing Chinese focus
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December 27, 2023
SAMAR & Akash AD Systems
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)These Systems underscore India's commitment to advancing indigenous air defence capabilities and expanding its influence in the global defence market
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December 27, 2023
MRFA under Make in India
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari's statement that it would take another 10 years for the IAF to reach 35 squadrons underscores the urgency in addressing the current fighter squadron shortfall
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December 27, 2023
Defence Budget 2024-25
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The next defence budget needs to navigate challenges while prioritising modernisation and a shift towards proactive deterrence
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December 26, 2023
Let's Feel Happy
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Amidst the global chaos, upheaval, and turbulence of 2023, India stands resilient, shining as a beacon of hope
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December 20, 2023
Israel – Blurred Lines of Perception
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Beyond the headlines, carefully choreographed between fact and fiction, are the orchestrated narratives trying to shape the public opinion on Israel and Palestine
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December 11, 2023
Pannun Affair — America's Double Standard
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)A closer look at the dynamics of India's security paradigm, plagued by double standards of the West
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December 11, 2023
PLA's Fifth Force – Near-Space Command
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)China's global powerplay has reached the Stratosphere with the creation of a 'Near-Space Command', equipped with Hypersonic weapons
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December 11, 2023
Powering Military Combat Capability
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Major boost for India's military capability as the defence landscape is set for a paradigm shift with mega deals on the horizon
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December 11, 2023
Space Diplomacy
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Collaboration with NASA will propel India's space odyssey into a thrilling future and possibly put an Indian Astronaut on the International Space Station
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December 11, 2023
Second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Amid rising regional challenges, India plans to secure its seas with ambitious plans for indigenous Aircraft Carriers
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December 11, 2023
Army Deploys Double Humped Camels in Ladakh
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Guardians of the Plateau, the Bactrian Camels join Indian Army in Ladakh for innovative Operations
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November 29, 2023
Gaza War – Not About Terror Alone
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Reasons for the ongoing battle in Gaza go way beyond the terror attack of Hamas, and if allowed to continue, can have global ramifications
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November 29, 2023
Major Defence Updates – Logistics Makeover to Tank Killers
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Innovations in military logistics, drones and autonomous technology are transforming India's defence landscape
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November 29, 2023
Stryker Production under 'Make in India'?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India explores joint production of Stryker armoured vehicles with the US as part of their Strategic Alliance
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November 29, 2023
Military Inducting Nirbhay, Pralay Missiles
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India strengthens defence arsenal as Nirbhay and Pralay missiles join Armed Forces in a strategic upgrade
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November 29, 2023
Fourth ASW Warship Launched
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India advances naval power as new anti-submarine craft is launched and INS Vikrant attains full operational status
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November 29, 2023
Navigating the Indo-Pacific Chessboard
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Unraveling the Geopolitical and Strategic shifts from Maldives to Bay of Bengal
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November 27, 2023
The Spillover from Myanmar
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)India to navigate the complex North-east region's dynamics urgently and address the growing challenges emanating from Myanmar's unrest
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November 14, 2023
Terror Time in Pakistan
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Pakistan grapples with escalating attacks and regional tensions as Security Forces face massive surge in violence
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November 14, 2023
Securing the Skies
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)In a surge skywards, India reinforces its defence with Rafale-Marine Jets and Hermes 900 StarLiner Drones
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November 14, 2023
A Major Milestone for 'Make in India'
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Saab FFV India becomes the first company to secures a historic 100 per cent FDI approval, igniting a new era in domestic defence manufacturing
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November 14, 2023
Guarding Indian Skies with Project 'Kusha'
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)DRDO unveils 'Kusha' project with the aim to craft a robust indigenous air defence system with LR-SAM capability by 2028-2029
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November 14, 2023
Revitalising India's Manufacturing Sector
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Opportunities, Challenges, and Critical Imperatives of Defence Manufacturing in India
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November 14, 2023
Enhancing Astronaut Safety
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)ISRO has successfully tested the crucial crew escape system, paving the way for Gaganyaan mission, while the TV-D2 mission aims to perfect crew module uprighting system in splashdown scenarios
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November 6, 2023
Humanitarian Crises Boil Over
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)There are many voices that remain unheard in the current humanitarian crisis sweeping the globe
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October 31, 2023
Lessons from the Israel-Hamas War
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Unraveling the Complex Lessons from the Israel-Hamas Conflict
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October 31, 2023
TA-isation of Army's Logistics & Transport Units
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indian Army mulling converting Logistics and Transport Units to Territorial Army is a risky proposition amidst unsettled issues and ongoing tensions at the borders
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October 31, 2023
Drones, Anti-Drone and Robotics
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has ordered comprehensive study on UAVs and Armoured Helicopters for All Three Services. The studies, undertaken by tri-service teams, are meant to optimise the number of platforms required as well as the resources and avoid duplication.
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October 31, 2023
India's Space Crusade
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)With a planned series of Lunar missions, India aims to set up Space Station by 2035 and send first Indian to Moon by 2040
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October 31, 2023
20th Round of India-China Military Talks
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India continues Military-to-Military talks as China indicates no troop pullback and has fortified defences in new locations occupied in 2020
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October 31, 2023
Indigenous Destroyer 'Imphal' Delivered
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India's indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities reach new heights with the delivery of INS Imphal, the third P15B stealth-guided missile destroyer
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October 23, 2023
Global Hotspots: Ukraine, Israel & Taiwan
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)A closer look at the current geopolitical flashpoints and India's balancing act
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October 14, 2023
Change of Guard in Maldives
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Shifting Tides in the Indian Ocean as Maldives elects Pro-China President and navigates a new course
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October 14, 2023
The Challenge at Sea
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India is navigating troubled waters with escalating Chinese Naval Presence in the Indian Ocean Region
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October 14, 2023
Target – Global Drone Hub
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Innovations, Challenges, and Future Prospects of a Drone Revolution in India
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October 14, 2023
400 Indigenous Towed Gun-Systems
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indian Army Pursues 400 Indigenous Howitzers for Future Artillery Advancements
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October 14, 2023
New Alternative Road to DBO
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India Accelerates Strategic Road Project to Fortify Ladakh's Daulet Beg Oldi Post
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October 14, 2023
19th Asian Games & Indian Military
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India Shines Bright with Record-breaking Performance at 19th Asian Games
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October 9, 2023
Middle East Up in Flames
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The incursion of Hamas fighters into Israel has left the Middle East in a state of flux despite the recent diplomatic alliances redefining the region's landscape
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September 22, 2023
Trudeau's Canada, Terror & Western Retribution
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Unraveling the web of Trudeau's allegations and the complex realities of India-Canada relations
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September 22, 2023
Indigenous Railgun
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Pioneering the Future of Military Technology with Railguns and Laser Weapons
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September 22, 2023
Boosting ISTAR Capabilities
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Integrating Advanced ISTAR Platforms for Aerial and Land Dominance for elevating India's Security
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September 22, 2023
Sukhoi, LCA and More
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Charting a course for self-sufficiency and strengthening India's defence arsenal
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September 22, 2023
Modernizing Army Air Defence
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Aerial Vigilance to get a boost with bolstering of India's Air Defence arsenal
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September 22, 2023
Pralay Ballistic Missiles for Army
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India is upgrading its border security with the acquisition of Pralay precision missiles
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September 20, 2023
Neocolonial Capitalism
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)From Exploitation to Empowerment, Charting a Course to Global Economic Equity
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September 14, 2023
India-Saudi Arabia Relations
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India and Saudi Arabia Forge a New Era of Economic and Strategic Partnership
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September 14, 2023
100 Additional Tejas Fighters for IAF
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)LCA Tejas Mk1A will transform India's Air Power in the decades ahead
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September 14, 2023
Multiple BRO Infrastructure Projects
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)BRO's record-breaking projects spree is helping strengthen India's strategic borders
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September 14, 2023
New Systems, Weapons, Equipment, Gear
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Empowering India's Armed Forces with cutting-edge acquisitions for enhanced Security
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September 14, 2023
Warmate Drones
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Empowering India's defence with a Drone-driven Future
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September 14, 2023
Corporatisation of Ordnance Factories
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The imperative for defence sector reforms need an urgent call to rethink privatisation and not Corporatisation of Ordnance Factories
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September 11, 2023
G20 Delhi Summit — Inclusive Declaration
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The G20 Summit 2023 in Delhi sets a global precedent by charting a unified course for a shared future
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September 11, 2023
G20 Heralds a New Future
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)India played host to the world and charted a new course in global geopolitics at a highly successful G20 Summit
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September 5, 2023
G20: At Least Let Them Talk
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The upcoming G20 Summit will hope for a constructive dialogue between member countries to navigate global challenges and bridge the divide in a shifting World Order
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August 31, 2023
The Moon Landing & Beyond
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 triumph pioneering the future of Space Exploration
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August 31, 2023
INS 'Vindhyagiri', Support Ships, PRV & SSNs
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Strengthening India’s Naval Arsenal and Charting its Maritime Future
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August 31, 2023
Private Sector Drone SAR
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Unlocking India's Sky with Cutting-Edge Drone SAR Technology
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August 31, 2023
Drone Squadron, MCA Barges for Navy
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Navigating the Future, Indian Navy explores the Unmanned Frontier
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August 31, 2023
Swathi WLR – Mountain Variant
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Elevating India's Mountain Warfare Capabilities, Swathi Mk-II is giving it a Tactical Edge
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August 31, 2023
Indigenous FRCV
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Empowering India's Defence with Future-Ready Combat Vehicles
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August 28, 2023
BRICS Blows the Bugle
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Exploring the implications, tensions, and challenges in an expanded BRICS alliance
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August 23, 2023
Old Rivals, New Theatre
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Exploring the Enduring Rivalry Between US and Russia Across Ages
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August 14, 2023
Is China Gearing for More Conflict?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)China's Military Buildup Signals Growing Concerns in the Region
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August 14, 2023
Terror Shadow Over India
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)UN Report Highlights Growing Terror Nexus in South Asia, Posing Threats to India's Security
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August 14, 2023
Malware and Spyware
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)China's Disruptive Cyber Campaign Puts National Security at Risk, Prompting Global Concerns
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August 14, 2023
CUAS and Archer-NG MALE UAV
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India's robust defence innovations in Counter-Drone Technology and Next-Gen Unmanned Aerial Arsenal to bolster National Security
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August 14, 2023
IAF Enhances Combat Power
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India-Israel Partnership Bolsters Air Superiority and Tactical Precision in Challenging Terrain with Cutting-edge Spike NLOS Missiles for Mountainous Warfare
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August 14, 2023
TAPAS UAV and Tejas Fighter
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India's Cutting-Edge TAPAS BH-201 UAV Prepares for Crucial User Trials, Enhancing Aerial Surveillance Capabilities
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July 31, 2023
India-Sri Lanka Bilateral Relations Strengthened
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)President Wickremesinghe's Historic Visit Seals New Agreements and Vision for the Future
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July 31, 2023
Drones – Kamikaze to Stratosphere
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Advanced Technology and Autonomy Redefine Drone Warfare
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July 31, 2023
Helicopters – Leasing and Exporting
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India's Ministry of Defence seeks Helicopters on Lease amidst fleet troubles while navigating export challenges
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July 31, 2023
AI and Humanoid Robots
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Artificial Intelligence is shaping our world with remarkable innovations, but its rise sparks debates on job displacement and the urgent need for safety measures
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July 31, 2023
Pakistan – New Frigates, New Nuclear Strategy
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Pakistan integrates advanced Tughril class frigates from China, signaling growing military ties and a strategic shift in nuclear deterrence
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July 31, 2023
India-Vietnam Deepen Strategic Ties
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India's gift of Missile Corvette INS 'Kirpan' to Vietnam marks a major milestone in Bilateral Defence Partnership
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July 31, 2023
Narco-Terrorism – The Looming Global Menace at India's Doorstep
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Geographical proximity to major drug-producing regions like the Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent makes India susceptible to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism with the Northeastern states, particularly Manipur, being severely impacted
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July 24, 2023
Global War on Terror Going Nowhere
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Navigating the Global War on Terror through Complex Realities as it turns out to be the most expansive and expensive global conflict spanning multiple wars
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July 15, 2023
Prime Minister Modi's visit to France gets Navy a Big Boost
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)French National Day celebrates Prime Minister Modi as Guest of Honour, paving the way for defence collaboration and indigenous technological advancements
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July 15, 2023
Pro-Khalistan rallies raise concerns over rising Extremism
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Nations with large Indian diaspora need to tread a delicate balance as Khalistan movement gains momentum
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July 15, 2023
India Hosts Virtual SCO Summit
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Leaders of SCO nations gather to foster connectivity, address security concerns, and pave the way for future growth
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July 15, 2023
India in China's Crosshair
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Unraveling China's new Border Law and Foreign Relations Law and its expanding national security ambitions on the global stage
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July 15, 2023
Brain Warfare
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Mind control goes global with China's Neurostrike programme and the race for brain warfare supremacy
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July 15, 2023
Agnipath – Changes Anticipated
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Agnipath scheme overhaul expected as India's Armed Forces confront recruitment woes and Geopolitical concerns
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July 6, 2023
India's Exposed Eastern Flank
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The deep-rooted turmoil due to drugs, land rights, and historical divisions has unleashed chaos in Manipur
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July 1, 2023
Setback to Army in Counter Insurgency
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indian Army faces complex encounter with Insurgent Forces and Women-led Resistance in Manipur
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July 1, 2023
Weaponised AI Systems
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Future of Autonomous Warfare with the rise of AI-Controlled Weapons
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July 1, 2023
Myanmar's DART-450 Surveillance Aircraft
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Myanmar's Military Arsenal Swells with Billions in Weapon Imports
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July 1, 2023
Hypersonic Missile Interceptor
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Empowering Defence and Safeguarding Nations from Hypersonic Menace with Unmatched Precision
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July 1, 2023
Chandrayan-3 and Quantum Technology Satellite
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Exploring the final frontier together, Indian and US to collaborate on New Horizons in Space
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July 1, 2023
Global Terrorism
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)US-India Joint Statement on Terrorism is in contrast to US' historical support and current alliances with terror groups
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June 15, 2023
Army Chief visit enhances defence cooperation with Bangladesh
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Strengthening defence ties and fostering regional cooperation, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande's visit to Bangladesh highlights the growing partnership between the two nations
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June 15, 2023
UK-Pakistan Defence Cooperation
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)A strengthening bond for Security and Intelligence
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June 15, 2023
The Jet Engine Deal
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)This move aims to boost defence industrial cooperation and enhance the India-US major defence partnership
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June 15, 2023
India's Submarine Programme Gains Momentum
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)With the decline in India's submarine fleet and China's superior underwater capabilities, there was a need for swift action to bridge the technological gap and maintain regional stability
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June 15, 2023
Varunastra Torpedo
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India's indigenous Varunastra Torpedo sets new standards in Underwater Warfare enhancing India's Underwater capabilities
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June 15, 2023
Double Carrier Exercise
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India's Two-Carrier exercise showcases Maritime power in the Indian Ocean, strengthening India's Naval Dominance and addressing Security Challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
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June 1, 2023
G20 Srinagar Meet & Pak Terror
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)G20 Srinagar Meet Shines Spotlight on Kashmir's Progress Amid Security Concerns
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June 1, 2023
Seabed Warfare
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Seabed warfare emerges as a hybrid form of conflict with regional and global implications, necessitating defence upgrades
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June 1, 2023
Border Infrastructure
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India's Urgent Catch-Up Game due to Ugly Red Tape
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June 1, 2023
China's Military Assistance to Pakistan, Nepal
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)An update on China's military influence, Arms Deals, Geopolitical Alliances, and Controversies in South Asia
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June 1, 2023
Chinese Stealth Radar
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)China unveils its Stealth Sentinel to unmask covert skies
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June 1, 2023
Electric Planes, Electric Vehicles
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Electric Solutions for Aviation and Transportation to Power the Future
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May 23, 2023
Greenland & Taiwan
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The comparison between Greenland and Taiwan may seem superficial at first glance, but it is not entirely incorrect. These self-governing islands experience intense competition between the United States and China, albeit in different ways.
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May 15, 2023
Dantewada Maoists Ambush
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Maoist strikes should be expected to intensify in the run up to assembly elections in November 2023 as well as general elections next year
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May 15, 2023
Indigenous Armed XLUUV
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Ministry of Defence (MoD) has initiated a project to design and develop an Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (XLUUV). Indian Navy is interested in procuring up to 12 XLUUVs once a prototype is built and clears all trials.
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May 15, 2023
Supersonic Surveillance, Hypersonic Transport
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)A leaked US military assessment has said that the Chinese PLA may soon deploy a high-altitude spy drone that travels at least three times the speed of sound
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May 15, 2023
Indigenous Nagastra Kamikaze Drone
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indian Army has signed a deal for 'Nagastra' loitering munitions with 'Made in India' content of more than 75 per cent
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May 15, 2023
Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir Woos China
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)General Munir's visit to China was in the backdrop of mounting pressure, from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on cash-strapped Pakistan towards securing financial commitments from Pakistan's friendly countries to bridge the external payment financial gap
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May 15, 2023
Upgrading Rocket Forces of India
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India's Rocket Forces would need to incorporate hundreds or rather thousands of subsonic cruise missiles plus ballistic missiles to serve as India's primary instrument of strategic nuclear deterrence, as well as meeting the requirement of long to medium precision strikes
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May 11, 2023
Global Groupings and Groupism
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The UNSC has remained in a limbo since the 2003 Iraq invasion, divisions have further sharpened since the Ukraine war, the G7 has seen its fortunes and influence dwindle giving way to a more credible G20 and now BRICS is steadily gathering winds in its sails with over 40 per cent of the world's population and rich resource and manufacturing base
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May 1, 2023
SCO Defence Ministers Meet
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)“India strives to further bolster trust and cooperation among the members of the SCO as it believes in maintaining peace and security based on the provisions of the UN charter” —Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
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May 1, 2023
China's Hypersonic IRBM
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) informed US legislators that China currently outpaces Russia regarding supporting infrastructure and system numbers when it comes to hypersonic capabilities
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May 1, 2023
PSLV-C55 Deploys Singapore Satellites
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)This launch marked the 57th flight of PSLV and the 16th mission using the PSLV Core Alone configuration, the lightest version of the launch vehicle
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May 1, 2023
China's AI-controlled Satellite
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)While the AI was induced from a ground-based station for the experiment, the operation for redeployment of the satellite was autonomous without any human intervention
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May 1, 2023
Caution Time – Terror Redux
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Taking terror threats lightly would be naďve especially when India is in election mode, polarisation is thriving and inimical forces, both internal and external, are trying their best to destabilise India
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May 1, 2023
Naval Interceptor Missile
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)DRDO and the Indian Navy successfully conducted a maiden flight trial of sea-based endo-atmospheric interceptor missile
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May 1, 2023
Salvaging Sudan
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Even before the recent clashes, Sudan was facing social and political unrest with a struggling economy
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April 27, 2023
IAF: An Impeccable Force for Humanitarian Support
By Air Vice Marshal Sanjay Bhatnagar (Retd)Indian Air Force has emerged as a reliable first responder for undertaking aid and rescue during any calamity under HADR operations
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April 18, 2023
G20 in Ukraine's Shadow
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The US and the EU want to include Ukraine in the 2023 G20 Summit at New Delhi, and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to address the summit
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April 18, 2023
Indigenous SSN
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)In 2019, the Indian government slashed the SSN project to just three SSNs citing high project costs. The 48,000 crore project to build 3 x SSNs has been pending Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approval since then.
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April 18, 2023
Exclusive Army Satellite
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The geostationary satellite will considerably enhance the communication capability of the Indian Army by providing mission-critical, beyond line of sight communication to troops and formations as well as weapon and airborne platforms
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April 18, 2023
New Gen Patrol, Missile Vessels
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)These NGOPVs and NGMVs will boost the combat potential of the Indian Navy, albeit their deliveries are scheduled to commence only from 2026 and 2027 respectively and would take seven to nine years to complete
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April 18, 2023
Military Transport Aircraft
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Military transport aircraft was one of the critical missing links in the entire defence industrial complex chain which has been plugged with the Tata-Airbus joint venture and the development of the defence transport aircraft RAJAS-Rakshan now, to a significant extent
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April 18, 2023
American HSVTOL Aircraft & Russian UGV
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)US Special Operations Command's has been looking for a new High-Speed Vertical Take-Off and Landing (HSVTOL) aircraft as a high-speed successor to its current CV-22B Osprey, which is used for Special Operations Forces (SOF)
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April 8, 2023
The Global Reset
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The world is currently witnessing a great churn in geostrategic alliances resulting in a global realignment of security relations and partnerships.
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April 1, 2023
The Dragon-Bear Hug
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Meeting President Putin at the Kremlin, President Xi emphasised the China-Russia relationship reaching where it is today
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April 1, 2023
BrahMos Aplenty
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indian Navy proposal to acquire more than 200 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles is at an advanced stage and is expected to be soon cleared by the MOD
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April 1, 2023
Rafale-M for Indian Navy
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Dassault's Rafale-M outperformed its rival Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet in the evaluation process and it was deemed to be more suitable in meeting the operational requirements and criteria of the Indian Navy
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April 1, 2023
More Teeth for Army, Navy, Air Force
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Chinese aggression during 2020 in Eastern Ladakh has caused the government to sit up and focus on defence, as well as 'Atmanirbhar' or the self-reliance initiative
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April 1, 2023
Stealth Technology for Mechanised Forces
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The objective of camouflage in mechanised columns is to disrupt the characteristic shape of the vehicle, to reduce shine, and to make the vehicle difficult to identify even if it is spotted
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April 1, 2023
Swarm of Swarms
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)China could employ drones in thousands or lakhs against our frontline troops at chosen points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in conjunction with attacks by bigger drones, which could also be in swarms
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March 15, 2023
India-Italy Defence Cooperation
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)This was Italian Prime Minister Meloni's first visit to India during which she was accompanied by Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and a high-powered business delegation
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March 15, 2023
Indigenous ATGMs
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indian Army requirements of fire-and-forget man-portable ATGMs would be colossal
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March 15, 2023
Man behind the Machine
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The problems in achieving effective soldier-machine mix are both technical and psychological in nature, especially when dealing with adaptive machines intelligence systems
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March 15, 2023
Army's Offensive Drone Swarm
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indian Army has ordered offensive swarming drone systems under the emergency procurement (EP) powers and eventually aims at offensive swarm drone capability of 1,000 drones
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March 15, 2023
Indigenous High Altitude Platform
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Prototype of an indigenous HAP designed and developed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) is likely to be test flown as early as May 2023 to test and validate the onboard equipment
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March 15, 2023
Trainer Aircraft & Training Ships
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On March 1, 2023 the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared the deals for 70 x basic trainer aircrafts and the three cadet training ships
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March 3, 2023
Stoking Khalistan
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Khalistan resurgence is being supported from abroad by countries like the US, the UK and Canada. Hindu temples in the UK, Canada and Australia are being defaced and vandalised to create Hindu-Sikh divide.
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March 3, 2023
Chinese Space Plans
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)China is creating a giant satellite constellation consisting of thousands of spacecraft for China's state network to cover the entire planet Earth from space. Without doubt it will be for dual civilian-military use or rather primarily for military use.
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March 3, 2023
Very Short-Range Air Defence
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)According to the Ministry of Defence, recent developments along the Northern borders requires a focus on effective Air Defence weapon systems which are man portable and can be deployed quickly
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March 3, 2023
Armed USV Swarms
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Indian Navy is using the project to understand and evaluate USV swarm capabilities for practical exploitation. If successful, the order could run into higher numbers.
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March 3, 2023
IAF Exercises in 2023
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Multilateral and bilateral exercises are essential for valuable operational knowledge, experiences and best practices
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March 3, 2023
Modular Bridges
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The indigenously-designed and manufactured modular bridges shall have many advantages over the MGB such as increased span, less time for construction and mechanical launching with retrieval capability
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February 23, 2023
A Year into the Ukraine War
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The narrative about the war in Ukraine is hugely lopsided with the US led west deploying every imaginable form of propaganda, information, disinformation and misinformation
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February 17, 2023
Lebanisation of Pakistan
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Lebanon's post-war era militia leaders became the political leadership and have kept a lock on power ever since. The country remains a nation without an effective governing dispensation. Pakistan seems to be going the same way!
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February 14, 2023
Spy Balloons
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The US has accused China of violating its airspace while Beijing has accused America of violating international norms by shooting down the balloon
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February 14, 2023
Export with Care
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)We need to be careful about which countries we are exporting indigenous equipment to and have sufficient safeguards in place to ensure the technology is not passed on to our adversaries
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February 14, 2023
Stealth Vehicles
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi is working on developing materials that can be used for developing ‘stealth’ vehicles. The materials being developed can reportedly absorb more than 96 per cent of radar waves in a wide range of frequencies, coming simultaneously from multiple directions.
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February 14, 2023
Private Industry Innovations
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying “It is our collective aim to establish India as one of the key partners in global semiconductor supply chains” has increased India’s focus on producing semiconductors
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February 14, 2023
Underwater Terrorism
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)A new facet of America’s terrorism has been unveiled – underwater terrorism in sabotage of Russia’s Nord Stream pipelines
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February 14, 2023
Indigenous Tapas-BH & Archer-NG Drones
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Induction of these indigenous drones will give a tremendous boost to the combat potential of our Armed Forces. These would fall much cheaper and cut drone import costs drastically.
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February 10, 2023
A Turkish Tragedy
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Death toll from the earthquake is expected to be very high as thousands of houses and aparment blocks have been reduced to rubble
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February 3, 2023
Republic Day Parade and Atmanirbhar Bharat
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Building on the 75th year of Independence celebrated as 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', the Republic Day parade depicted India's growing indigenous capabilities, Nari Shakti and emergence of a 'New India'.
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February 3, 2023
Cutting Army Flab
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Reports are that Army has been asked to reduce its strength by about 1.5-2 Lakh. How much Army manpower should be slashed and what constitutes “flab”?
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February 3, 2023
Navy Exercises for Conflict
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Having grown in scope and complexity over the years, these exercises provide an opportunity to test the combat readiness of the combined Fleets of the Indian Navy to operate in a multi-threat environment
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February 3, 2023
New-Age Drones, Jet Packs and Robotic Mules
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Army is seeking the above technologies in line with the need to modernise and upgrade its combat capabilities
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February 3, 2023
Western Tanks in Ukraine
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The supply of these modern tanks indicates direct involvement of US-NATO in the war
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February 3, 2023
Humans in Space and Western Fear of China
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg said that Ukraine needs NATO's continued support, because if President Putin wins, the message to Beijing will be that they can achieve what they want with the use of brute force
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February 2, 2023
Defence Budget 2023-2024
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Defence Budget 2023-2024 is 5.94 lakh crore, an increase of about 12.5 per cent over last year
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January 15, 2023
WMD Terrorism
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)A shipment containing “several kilogrammes” of Uranium was seized at UK's Heathrow Airport, the package originated in Pakistan before landing at Heathrow's Terminal Four
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January 15, 2023
Nyoma Airfield Development
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The decision to upgrade Nyoma ALG should have been taken long back; much before the 2020 Chinese aggression if we had given due thought to Chinese intentions. When this airfield will be completed remains to be seen?
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January 15, 2023
GSP 2022 – Military Ignored
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Geospatial Policy (GSP) 2022 is good for promoting digital economy, private industry, innovations, blue economy, integrating multiple agencies dealing with geospatial data, innovation and the like but the requirements of national security and of the Armed Forces have been totally ignored
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January 15, 2023
Analysing Rajouri Killings
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The twin terror attacks by terrorists, suspected to belong to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), in Dangri hamlet of Rajouri in Jammu & Kashmir, left seven people of the minority community, including two children, dead and 14 others injured
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January 15, 2023
Ending Maoist Insurgency
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)There are no quick fix solutions in counter-insurgency, it requires a mix of hard and soft options to tackle both the hard core and eliminate the root cause
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January 15, 2023
Missile Systems Procurement
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)All the proposals for procurement of missile systems are under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category
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January 2, 2023
The Catch 22 in Ukraine's Elusive Peace
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The US has always used war to benefit economically. Peace is unlikely in Ukraine with Zelenskyy dancing to the tune of the Biden Administration.
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January 2, 2023
Indo-Japanese Air Combat Exercise
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The India-Japan joint air combat exercise 'Veer Guardian' will further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and military interoperability, as also enhance tactical air combat skills of the two sides
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January 2, 2023
Pralay Induction
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The system meets the tactical ballistic missile requirements filling the gap of a conventionally armed ballistic missile that is not hampered by the 'No First Use' nuclear policy
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January 2, 2023
INS 'Vagir' Delivered
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Vagir is a state-of-the-art submarine featuring advanced stealth features and is designed for multifarious missions like anti-surface, anti-submarine, intelligence gathering, surveillance, and mine-laying
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January 2, 2023
End Connectivity of Border Roads
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Without proper and reliable road/track connectivity right up to our frontline posts, we will remain at serious disadvantage at the tactical level
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January 2, 2023
The Downside of SPARSH
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)SPARSH has become the bane of ex-servicemen and veer naris, especially those who are not computer savvy and living in remote areas
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December 26, 2022
China in Southern Nepal
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)China has managed to install Prachanda as the third time Prime Minister of Nepal by some deft maneuverings behind the scenes. This is bad news for India.
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December 23, 2022
2022: A Tumultuous Year
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)As 2022 draws to a close, here is a snapshot of the year gone by and the changed geopolitical world that it leaves behind
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December 14, 2022
Egyptian President at Republic Day Parade 2023
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India and Egypt share close political understanding based on long history of contacts and cooperation on bilateral, regional and global issues. Both countries were the founding members of the Non Allied Movement (NAM) and have co-operated on multilateral forums.
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December 14, 2022
Tawang Clash-Prelude to Conflict?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The clash happened during a regular border patrol when Chinese troops were intercepted by their Indian counterparts
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December 14, 2022
SpIN and Space
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)SpaceTech Innovation Network (SpIN)will provide tremendous boost to the space entrepreneurial ecosystem through public-private collaboration for start-ups and SMEs in the space industry
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December 14, 2022
Coming – Zorawar Tanks
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The proposal is that 59 of the 354 light tanks will be reserved for the tanks developed by the DRDO and the remaining 295 tanks will be manufactured under the 'Make-1' category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP)
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December 14, 2022
Modernising Airfields
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)MAFI Phase-II is a good initiative but have we critically examined what features and systems our airfields (including improved infrastructure) must have to cater for possible terrorist attacks
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December 6, 2022
G20: Prospects Beyond Summits
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The presidency gives India a unique opportunity to steer the agenda, showcase its leadership acumen and brandish its rich cultural and archaeological heritage
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December 2, 2022
Weaponisation of Winter
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)Russian missile and drone attacks on energy and other infrastructure means that large parts of Ukraine people are now living without light, water, or heating. This is becoming increasingly unbearable as the country begins to face temperatures below freezing.
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December 1, 2022
Zero Covid and Maverick Xi Jinping
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)There has been some relaxation in the Covid restrictions but taking these as the weakness of the CCP or of Xi would be wrong
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December 1, 2022
3D Printed Defence Works
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Indian Army is perhaps the first one to create permanent defences using 3D technology and has conducted successful trials
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December 1, 2022
More Milestones in Space & Space Industry
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The successful launch of the Vikram-S rocket has opened up a whole range of options since low cost rockets using 3-D engines and the use of carbon fibre can be used for military applications as well. Moreover, small satellites also permit loading them with multiple functionalities. We are now on the anvil of rapid and tactical space launch capabilities.
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December 1, 2022
Aditya-L1 Mission
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The scope of the mission has been expanded and it is now planned to be a comprehensive solar and space environment observatory to be placed at the L1 point
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December 1, 2022
Turkey-Pakistan Defence Cooperation
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Turkey-Pakistan defence cooperation is getting stronger. During the recent two-day visit of Pakistan Prime Minister to Turkey, Sharif and Erdogan jointly inaugurated a corvette warship PNS 'Khyber' built by Turkey for the Pakistan Navy under a strategic cooperation project between the two countries
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December 1, 2022
TTP Sheds Gloves
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Pakistan has been facing a serious security situation in its border provinces adjoining Afghanistan because the ‘Durand Line’ was never accepted by the Afghans. The situation has been aggravated because of the border fencing by Pakistan, which is not acceptable to the Afghan Taliban and the TTP.
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November 18, 2022
Ukraine conflict and Paralysed Global politics
By Lt. General J.K. Sharma (Retd)The G-20 summit offered a snapshot of a somewhat paralysed international system, ill-equipped to mobilise around solving major shared challenges
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November 15, 2022
No cold war; Tensions may still flare
By Lt. General J.K. Sharma (Retd)The meeting between President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit may cool temperatures for now. But while Washington and Beijing can try to put guardrails on their relationship, sensitivities over Taiwan are high and the risk for misunderstanding acute.
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November 14, 2022
Pakistan – No Postmortem
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The attempted assassination of Imran Khan followed by nationwide protests by the PTI has thrown Pakistan into more chaos. The economic situation remains grim, to which political turmoil is now added. On top is the internal security situation because of increasing attacks by the Baloch separatists and the large number of heavily armed cadres of TTP streaming into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
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November 14, 2022
Canistered Loitering Munitions for Army
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Canister Launched Anti-Armour Loiter Ammunition (CALM) System is known as a drone that once fired can remain airborne for a period of time and after the target is sighted it can be guided to destroy the target with an explosive payload
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November 14, 2022
New Interceptor Missile for BMD
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On November 2, 2022, India successfully tested its new interceptor missile for Phase-II of its indigenous BMD system, which is capable of intercepting incoming long-range nuclear missiles as well as slow-moving aircraft
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November 14, 2022
CPEC extension into Afghanistan
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Beijing has Pakistan in its pocket and good relations with the Afghan Taliban to whom it has promised help to rebuild Afghanistan. However, Chinese workers remain under threat in Pakistan, so what will happen in Afghanistan when the CPEC is extended to that country.
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November 14, 2022
India-Armenia Defence Relations
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Taking into account the ancient ties with Armenia and its ongoing conflict with an aggressive Azerbaijan supported by Turkey and Pakistan, India would do well to meet all defence requirements of Armenia as requested by them.
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November 14, 2022
Manik Engine Setback
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The test flight of the Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) was unsuccessful because the Manik engine failed. This failure is a big setback for India's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Missile programme.
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October 31, 2022
Make in India C295 Military Aircraft
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India had sealed the deal with Airbus to procure 56 x C295 transport aircraft for the IAF under a project that entails manufacturing of military transport aircraft in India for the first time by a private company
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October 31, 2022
China Decries Exercise 'Yudh Abhyas'
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)China is opposing it by saying it is an interference in the bilateral boundary issue and a violation of agreements between New Delhi and Beijing that no military drill will be held near the Line of Actual Control
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October 31, 2022
ARBEL AI-based Firing System
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indian policy makers and the military have acknowledged AI as a key component of national security strategy and are focused on AI-based research
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October 31, 2022
Extended Range BrahMos for IAF
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The range of the BrahMos missile has been increased already and with the advantage of being airborne at high altitudes, the missile can travel a longer distance and can hit targets at 800 kms and beyond
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October 31, 2022
India-UK Defence Relations – The Sunak Factor
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)With signing of the FTA on the anvil, two-way trade between India and the UK should flourish under Sunak's premiership. India-UK collaboration in defence trade is being supported by a new export licensing arrangement intended for shortening delivery times for defence procurement.
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October 31, 2022
Army Seeks Large Drone Induction
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Army is seeking 1,000s of surveillance copters to be operated in the Himalayas and provide a live feed to the battle commanders. All these UAVs and RPAVs will be sourced from Indian companies.
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October 15, 2022
America's Double Dance
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Recent moves by the Biden Administration indicate that Washington wants to boost Pakistan in order to keep India under check
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October 15, 2022
India Hosting UN CTC Meet
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India is the Chair of the Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) for the year 2022 and will host diplomats of the 15-nation UN body along with other member states for the special meeting in Mumbai and New Delhi
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October 15, 2022
SMASH Anti-Drone Weapon Sight
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The SMASH 2000L/3000 is the lightest handheld operated fire control system using artificial intelligence, computer vision, and advanced algorithms making it an ideal hard-kill solution against drones and small UAS
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October 15, 2022
GSLV Mk III Launch
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)With the GSLV Mk III launching 36 broadband satellites of OneWeb this month, ISRO and the NSIL are on a roll
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October 15, 2022
Indigenous Armoured Vehicles
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Kalyani M4 is a Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicle, indigenously developed and manufactured by Bharat Forge Ltd. It offers unprecedented levels of security and protection to the occupants in case of high Kinetic Energy threats, like severe mine blasts and grenade attacks
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October 15, 2022
Unmanned Armed Boats and UW Drones
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)China, Russia, France, the UK and the US all have considerable capabilities for seabed operations and underwater capabilities. Indian Navy does lack such capability which is urgently required, especially given China’s escalating incursions into the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
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October 3, 2022
Priorities for the newly appointed CDS
By Lt. General Abhay Krishna (Retd)The Nation eagerly looks at General Anil Chauhan, the new CDS, for successfully taking forward the initiatives taken up by the Late General Bipin Rawat
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October 1, 2022
America's L'affaire Pakistan
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Biden administration has unveiled a $450-million deal to modernise Pakistan’s F-16 fleet without informing India and without any concern this could harm America’s so-called strategic relations with India. Somehow Pakistan remains strategically important to the US administrations over India, no matter the proclamations by America.
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October 1, 2022
Advances in Hypersonic
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The developments in Hypersonic technology no doubt would be potential force multiplier for the Indian Armed Forces when operational, given the expanding China threat
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October 1, 2022
China's FH-901 and Russia's new EW System
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The increasing importance of unmanned platforms, loitering munitions and electronic warfare is more that apparent in the Ukraine conflict. India will need to build these capabilities speedily to cope with and win future conflicts.
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October 1, 2022
Infrastructure Projects in Great Nicobar
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The vision is the overall development of Great Nicobar Island, with a diverse and robust economy based on maritime services and tourism amongst other economic drivers
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October 1, 2022
Indigenous Loitering Munitions
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Loitering munitions have revolutionised the battlefield in recent years and more of these can be expected to fill up the airspace in future
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September 24, 2022
Lawlessness in a Unipolar World
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)There is worrisome compromise of international institutions, agreements, treaties and arrangements that do not serve the domestic agenda of the US
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September 14, 2022
Army Chief Visits Nepal
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)General Manoj Pande's visit to Nepal was largely ceremonial though it did provide an opportunity to review bilateral defence relations and explore new avenues of cooperation
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September 14, 2022
Development of Tejas Mark-2 Approved
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)DRDO feels that the Tejas Mark-2 fighter aircraft would be in the category of the Rafale class aircraft in terms of avionics and capabilities but lighter in weight
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September 14, 2022
CWG 2022 and ASI, Pune
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Medal winners from the Army have bagged 4 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze medal in CWG 2022, which is a commendable feat considering that there were only 18 participants from the Army
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September 14, 2022
Hiccups in Project 75(I)
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)It remains to be seen whether the foreign OEMs will be satisfied with whatever changes the MoD has made in the tender document and how many will respond by the December 2022 deadline
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September 14, 2022
PP-15 Disengagement is No Loss to China
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Chinese side has pulled back northeast of PP-17A while the Indian troops have pulled back to PP-17. In between is the no-patrol zone which means that India troops can no more patrol up to PP-15 which was our forward PP in this sector.
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September 14, 2022
Space Affairs
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)In India, developments in space affairs are occurring periodically at fast pace including more and more private sector involvement
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September 1, 2022
Taliban at Loggerheads with Pakistan
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Thousands of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) cadres are undergoing rigorous combat training and also undergoing sea training for naval combat in order to take on the Pakistani Navy. Pakistan-TTP war may break out in the near future and this time Pakistan will likely experience much more instability and violence than before.
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September 1, 2022
Chinese Stealth and UW Technology
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)China's long-range heat-seeking radar boosts anti-stealth technology. It has also completed the conceptual design work for a small, low-cost nuclear reactor for use in swarming torpedoes that could cross the Pacific within a week.
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September 1, 2022
Indigenous Light Tank – Zorawar
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)DRDO is working on a Light Tank named 'Zorawar', fitted with High Altitude Operable Power pack (Engine + Transmission) of 1,000hp and capable of firing multiple ammunition to meet the Army's requirement of light tanks
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September 1, 2022
Western Regulars in Ukraine
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)It has become clear that the US and NATO are not only waging a proxy war but also a high-risk secret war against Russia in Ukraine. CIA, MI-6 operatives and Western Special Forces in the garb of mercenaries and civilians continue to operate inside Ukraine.
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September 1, 2022
Loitering Munitions
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Loitering munitions are in a category of their own. They are more akin to a smart missile. Once airborne, the system is designed to “loiter” for an extended time. Loitering munitions are one-time-use weapons designed to find a target and crash into it, “kamikaze” style.
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September 1, 2022
Exercise Vostok-2022
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)An Indian Army contingent comprising of troops from 7/8 Gorkha Rifles is participating in a multilateral strategic and command Exercise Vostok-2022 aimed at interaction and coordination amongst other participating military contingents and observers
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August 29, 2022
What Type of Light Tank Does India Need?
By Lt. General J.K. Sharma (Retd)There is no denying the need of Light Tank but is there prudence in going for a 25 tonne with similar firepower as T-90 and capable of floatation? It would compromise on protection and other basic fighting features, no matter how much you may load it with Artificial Intelligence (AI), surveillance drones and/or loitering munition.
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August 26, 2022
Battle for the skies over the seas
By Air Vice Marshal Sanjay Bhatnagar (Retd)Boeing makes a strong case with their F/A-18 Super Hornet Block III for the Indian Navy's carrier deck based fighter programme
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August 16, 2022
India Arises @ 75
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The gains since 1947 have been massive, keeping in mind that we have also evolved as a strong multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, vibrant and resilient democracy
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August 15, 2022
Indo-Maldives Defence & Security Relations
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Close contact and coordination between India and Maldives in defence and security is vital for the peace and stability of the entire region in the backdrop of trans-national crime, terrorism and drug trafficking in the Indian Ocean
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August 15, 2022
Commissioning of INS 'Vikrant'
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The successful delivery of the indigenous carrier is testimony to the dedicated efforts of a large number of stakeholders within the Indian Navy, shipyard, industry, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and MSMEs for over two decades
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August 15, 2022
India's Hypersonic Cruise Missile
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India became the fourth country after the US, China and Russia to develop and test the hypersonic technology. With this successful test, India will be making its first hypersonic missile in the next five years.
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August 15, 2022
AI Drone and Strategic Bomber
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is working on an AI-driven multi-role, advanced and long-endurance drone for strategic missions in high-altitude areas
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August 15, 2022
Indo-US Military Jointness
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Bilateral military exercises and defence exchanges are an important facet of deepening bilateral defence cooperation between friendly countries
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August 15, 2022
Indigenous Laser Guided ATGM
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)SAMHO, the all-indigenous laser guided anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) employs a tandem high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead to defeat explosive reactive armour (ERA) protected armoured vehicles in ranges from 1.5 km to 5 km
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August 10, 2022
The Choppy Waters of Taiwan Straits
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's stop in Taipei is the first time that a US House speaker has visited Taiwan in 25 years and has fueled US-China tensions
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August 2, 2022
Chinese Muscle Flexing
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Chinese fighter jets, including J-11, have been flying close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) over past few weeks, in direct violation of the 10-km Confidence Building Measures (CBM) mutually agreed with India
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August 2, 2022
Navy's Fighter – Rafale or F/A-18?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Tests of the French Rafale and the American F/A-18 Super Hornet took place from late May to June at the Indian Navy's test site at Hansa Air Base in Goa
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August 2, 2022
Meeting China's LAC 5G Challenge
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The need for provisioning of telecom connectivity with high-speed internet capability to the Armed Forces must be given high priority including forward deployments along the LAC because of China’s aggressive moves and the era of drones and missiles giving little reaction time
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August 2, 2022
Joint Theatre Commands
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)There is no escaping the military logic of creating suitably constituted Integrated Theatre Commands and Functional Commands for the Armed Forces as a whole
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August 2, 2022
AI Enabled ATV and QRFV
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Collaborative work done in the field of AI is being done by the three Services, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), iDEX start-ups and the private sector
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August 2, 2022
Navy Gets MH-60R Helicopters
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The induction of MH-60Rs will significantly boost the integral Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability and the capability to conduct a range of operations in all weather conditions in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The addition of MH-60R Seahawk helicopters will also help boost the combat power of the Indian Navy.
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July 21, 2022
Leaderless Not Rudderless
By Major General Atanu K Pattanaik (Retd)The 'Janatha Aragalaya' or people's struggle that booted out the Rajapakse's does not have a distinct leadership but has exhibited a distinct direction. The Aragalaya has remained to a great extent, a movement launched by a combination of a large number of youth groups which are independent of party politics.
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July 14, 2022
16th Corps Commander-level Talks in Ladakh
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)While our insistence may make China relent for the 16th or more rounds of talks, we are naïve not to acknowledge that there will be no more pull back of troops by China. China holds all the aces, so why would it pull back? In fact, China is using the talks to consolidate its positions in the intrusion areas.
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July 14, 2022
China's 5G Along The LAC
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)China has rolled out a 5G network on their side of the LAC in Ladakh, which has created a problem in radio communications of the Indian Armed Forces deployed in the border areas
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July 14, 2022
The Territorial Army
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)TA units were actively involved in military operations in 1962, 1965 and 1971. The Terriers have also participated in Operation 'Pawan' in Sri Lanka, Operation 'Rakshak' in Punjab and J&K, Operation 'Rhino' and Operation 'Bajrang' in the northeast.
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July 14, 2022
The Race for Navy's Fighter Aircraft
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The French Rafale and the American F-18 are engaged in the process of operational demonstrations to the Indian Navy, preceding the all-important trials. The Navy will then have to decide what numbers are required in the interim period before the TEDBF is inducted.
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July 14, 2022
High-speed Expendable Aerial Target
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On June 29, 2022, the DRDO successfully tested an indigenously-designed High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) named 'Abhyas' from the Integrated Test Range (ITR). Programmed for a completely autonomous flight, Abhyas can be launched by the military anywhere using a laptop.
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July 14, 2022
Safran Expands in India
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Safran inaugurated three new production sites in India and announced the construction of a new major facility by 2025. These announcements represent more than $200 million of investment, opening new job opportunities for Indians.
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July 11, 2022
A POEM in the Space for Indian Spacetech Start-ups-Digantara and Dhruva Space
By Air Vice Marshal Sanjay Bhatnagar (Retd)They are first set of space start-ups to receive the authorisation from IN-SPACe, heralding the commencement of private sector launches within the country
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July 5, 2022
India's Third Aircraft Carrier
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India must take a call on the third aircraft carrier if we need to be counted as a regional power not only in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) but also in the Indo-Pacific
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July 5, 2022
Maiden Flight of ALH-Dhruv (Wheeled Version)
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The prototype helicopter was built with 'Segmented Pre-Cone MRBs' and 'Pre-Cone MRH'. The two-segment MRBs and the pre-cone configuration have been developed to address the stringent stowage dimension requirement specified by the Indian Navy
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July 5, 2022
Indigenous Stealth Drone
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The development of Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft (RPSA) and its successful induction into the Indian Armed Forces will provide India with considerable air supremacy since the RPSA, with its small size, stealth capabilities...
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July 5, 2022
American and British Somersaults
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)In October 2019, the US backed off from a proposal for collaboration on jet engine technology under the India-US Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI). Now the US has again offered to collaborate with India for critical jet engine technology.
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July 5, 2022
Indigenous Loitering Munitions, UAS Drones, ATGM
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)These are all good developments which need quick follow up actions. 25 per cent of the domestic capital procurement budget (amounting to 21,149 crore) has been earmarked for acquisitions from the domestic private industry this year. This needs to be fully utilised with necessary prioritisation.
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July 5, 2022
Indigenous Next Generation Corvettes – and more
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The DAC accorded AoN for procurement of the Next Generation Corvettes (NGCs) to be built at an estimated cost of 36,000 crore by an Indian shipyard and constructed based on new in-house design of the Indian Navy using latest technology of ship building
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June 20, 2022
Defence Minister's Vietnam Visit
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Both India and Vietnam shared views on the significance of maintaining peace, stability, maritime and aviation security, safety and freedom in the East Sea, as well as settling disputes through peaceful measures according to global norms, UNCLOS, and need to reach an efficient Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea
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June 20, 2022
Catch 22 in Talking to Maoists
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Maoists have caught on to the technicality of the Chhattisgarh Home Minister promising ‘unconditional’ talks and Chief Minister Baghel reiterating that Maoists should first declare allegiance to the Indian Constitution
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June 20, 2022
Chinese Base in Cambodia
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The new secret Chinese military base in Cambodia ought to wake up America’s political class, including the US Navy brass, to what is fast becoming a global Chinese challenge
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June 20, 2022
China's AI-Powered Drone-Ship and Super-Carrier
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The world's first AI-operated drone carrier Zhu Hai Yun is capable of launching surface and sub-surface drones that would be invaluable for data collection...
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June 20, 2022
Pakistan Remains in FATF Grey List
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)FATF will now conduct an on-site visit to “check” that the reforms undertaken by Islamabad are “in place” and “can be sustained into the future”
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June 20, 2022
Naval Ships 'Surat' and 'Udaygiri' Launched
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The 'Surat' and 'Udaygiri' warships have been designed in-house by the Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and built at the Mumbai-based MDL. In the coming days, India will not only cater to its needs in the arena of shipbuilding, but will also take care of the requirements of others.
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June 5, 2022
QUAD is Not another NATO
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)QUAD lacks any worthwhile muscular policy and the US will likely continue to sit on the fence and let others do the fighting
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June 5, 2022
India’s Venus Mission
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)After the success of the Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan missions, India is all set to join the race with the US and many other countries to go to the Venus
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June 5, 2022
Border Infrastructure Management Authority
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Border Infrastructure Management Authority (BIMA) plan is reportedly being prepared for integrated infrastructure development considering that the people living along the LAC be considered as strategic assets
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June 5, 2022
China’s Second Bridge on Pangong Tso
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The fact that China is constructing the second bridge simultaneously from both the north and south banks of Pangong Tso indicates the urgency that is being accorded to it by the PLA
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June 5, 2022
Astra Mk-2 Missile
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Astra Mk-2, which uses dual-pulse solid rocket motor for extended reach and better kinematics during the kill phase, is likely to be tested shortly and will restore the air-to-air combat superiority of the IAF over the PAF
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June 5, 2022
India-Japan Defence Collaboration
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indo-Japanese defence relations have witnessed an upsurge in recent years which includes joint bi-lateral and multi-lateral exercises. The next 2+2 Indo-Japanese Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting is to be held in Japan at the earliest.
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May 26, 2022
Pakistan Support to Taliban Backfires
By Lt. General J.K. Sharma (Retd)Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, a militant group also known as the Pakistani Taliban or the TTP has launched more than 124 terrorist attacks since the Taliban returned to power in Pakistan (including suicide attacks) from bases in Afghanistan
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May 23, 2022
The QUAD – Way Ahead
By Lt. General J.K. Sharma (Retd)The QUAD must prove that it can be an effective body, both to demonstrate its utility to its own members and to show to the regional community that it is capable of solving regional problems
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May 16, 2022
Boosting Indo-French Strategic Partnership
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Defence will likely continue as the cornerstone of the India-France Strategic Partnership, which has been further cemented through the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron
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May 16, 2022
The WMD Birds
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Chinese military and government agencies had been using Dove drones and related devices in recent years. Possibly, these drones are also augmented as assassination weapons with built-in face recognition software, akin to the US. These drones pose a new angle to terrorism and assassinations, especially if launched in swarms.
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May 16, 2022
Offsets and Strategic Partnerships
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The offset clause in Inter-Government Agreements (IGA) was removed pursuant a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) tabled in Parliament, which said several offset contracts built into multiple defence deals had failed to bring in high-end military technology into the country
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May 16, 2022
Spike ATGMs and Sig Sauer Rifles
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) have both begun to induct ATGMs. The Army is inducting Spike LR2 launchers and missiles, while the IAF is integrating its Russian-origin Mi-17V5 helicopters with Spike NLOS (nonline of sight) missiles
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May 16, 2022
ATAGS User Trials Completed
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The user trials this summer have just been successfully completed at the Pokhran field firing ranges. Reliability of both the guns was proven by firing multiple rounds in various, including bursts, intense and sustained modes.
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May 16, 2022
Pakistan's Proxy War Continues
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Pakistan’s proxy war against India will continue under their new Prime Minister with fresh impetus from Pakistan’s DG ISI Lt General Nadeem Anjum. With Pakistan having an inexhaustible supply of terrorists, it is for India to continue in the defensive mode or transport the proxy war into Pakistani territory.
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May 5, 2022
De-conflicting Eastern Ladakh is Passé
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)We may continue military-to-military talks but any progress is unlikely unless China wants and we agree to shift our positions more west by couple of kilometres, calling them no-patrol-zones
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May 5, 2022
Beyond The Moskva Sinking
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The threat to naval platforms comes primarily from aircraft and torpedoes but technological advancements in surveillance capabilities, that are networked with missiles based on air, land, and sea platforms, have certainly increased the vulnerability of surface naval assets
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May 5, 2022
Of Lasers and UAVs
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)There are good developments but the need is of speed, given the technological developments globally, particularly in China
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May 5, 2022
India-UK Defence Relations
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated their commitment to boost the defence and security cooperation under the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and enhance engagements in support of a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific
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May 5, 2022
Drone Making in India
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The government has announced easing of rules for registration and operation of drones in the country, as also the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme worth 120 crore to boost indigenous manufacturing of drones
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May 5, 2022
Toxin Hand of Friendship
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)There was speculation about a possible change in stand of the new Sharif-governed Pakistan towards India. However, the fact that he was chosen for the post of Prime Minister by Pakistan’s Army Chief General Bajwa, should put an end to speculation what India-Pakistan relations will be under Sharif.
