Experts Speak

August 23, 2016
RM's Independence Day eve broadcast — just routine
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Raksha Mantri Manohar Parrikar's customary message to the Armed Forces...
August 9, 2016
SAARC Home Ministers Meet — Pakistan's prodigal bash
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Turbulence at the recent 7th SAARC Home and Interior Ministers Conference was but expected simply because it was being hosted...
August 9, 2016
DPP — private sector awaits fair share
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
If anyone were to ask whether the Defence Procurement Policy (DPP) has been enunciated, the answer would be yes, but partially.
August 9, 2016
Adding Military Muscle — address foot soldier too
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
In a boost to the Indian Navy comes the news that India has signed a $1.1 billion deal to procure four more Poseidon-8I long range maritime patrol...
July 18, 2016
Visit of Japanese Defence Minister boosts ties
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani's recent visit to India came post Malabar 2016 held in Western Pacific recently...
July 18, 2016
Hague Ruling — snubbed China remains defiant
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) recently gave its judgment on the territorial claims of Philippines filed in 2013 against China over disputed areas in South China Sea (SCS) with Manila seeking...
July 18, 2016
Nuclear Aircraft Carrier versus Nuclear Submarines
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
As per media reports, Russia has offered its nuclear aircraft carrier dubbed...
Disaster Strikes!
By Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd.)
The one thing that is clear is that the disaster that has struck the aeroplane was somewhat sudden leaving the crew with no time to make a distress call.
July 7, 2016
New MR SAM — beefing air defence
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
On June 30, India successfully test-fired a new surface-to-air missile, developed jointly with Israel, from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, of the Odisha coast. Apart from the missile, the system includes a Multi-Functional Surveillance and Threat Alert Radar (MF STAR) for detection, tracking and guidance of the missile.
July 7, 2016
DCN Unveiled — but how to Talk?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Defence Minister Mohan Parrikar dedicated the Defence Communication Network (DCN) to the nation on July 1, 2016.
100% FDI in Defence is good move
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Government has announced that FDI in the Defence Sector is permitted to 100% level. Till now, the FDI regime permitted 49% FDI participation in the equity of a company under automatic route.
Exercise MALABAR — 2016 in the Strategic Calculus of India
By Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd.)
Indian Naval (IN) Ships Satpura, Sahyadri, Shakti and Kirch participated in the recently concluded 20th edition of Exercise MALABAR-2016...
DPP 2016 uploaded — what is new
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
On 8 June 2016, MoD uploaded on its website the DPP 2016 Chapters I to VI including Appendices and Annexures.
Defence Procurement — foreign firms allowed agents
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Under the Defence Procurement Policy (DPP) 2016, issued on 8th June 2016,foreign entities have been allowed to engage agents for defence deals under a strict set of conditions, which includes giving defence ministry access...
Asia Pacific — China plays leech and bully
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
As the 100,000 ton US aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis which carries F-18 fighter jets, joined the naval ships of Japan and India in the seas off the Japanese Okinawan island chain for exercise Malabar 2016...
BrahMos to Vietnam: Why is China bellyaching?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's recent visit to Singapore, including attending the Shangri-La Dialogues further enhanced the revised Defence Cooperation Agreement 2015 and India-Singapore Joint Declaration...
A Naval Thoroughbred at the Helm
By Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd.)
Admiral Sunil Lanba, a Naval Thoroughbred and until recently the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, has assumed the high office of the Chief of the Naval Staff on May 31, 2016, consequent upon superannuation of Admiral RK Dhowan.
Dilemma of Defence Spending
By Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd.)
A report of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence stated that the enhancement in the Defence Budget for the year 2016-17 over the previous...
Are Our Politicians Losing Interest in India's Defence?
By General V.P. Malik (Retd.)
The Standing Committee on Defence, headed by BJP member Major General BC Khanduri, has recently conveyed to the Parliament that the 'growth in the budgetary allocation for defence is not sufficient and woefully inadequate for modernisation.'
May 10, 2016
FDI in Defence — Remains elusive
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
In a written reply given to the Parliament in response to a question about FDI in defence, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said...
May 10, 2016
Draft Map Policy — What about defence and security?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
The MHA has released the draft Geospatial Information Regulation Bill 2016, which open to public for comments till June 03. Under this bill, government Centre will set up Security Vetting Authority (SVA)...
May 10, 2016
Shangri-La Dialogue — Sending Defence Minister is good
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
As per media reports, Defence Minister Mohan Parrikar will address the Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) scheduled in Singapore in first week June.
Defence Spending — Faux pas in MoD
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
AK Anthony during his decade long tenure as defence minister maintained that budget allocations were more than adequate and more...
Naval Commanders' Conference - 01/2016
By Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd.)
"Indian Navy's role is not only vital for national security, but also for national prosperity and development". - Admiral R.K. Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff
Super Hornet or the Fighting Falcon
By Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd.)
The requirement of the IAF is not for a light-weight fighter but for a medium to heavy weight combat aircraft capable of operating over long range without in-flight refuelling, preferably...
DPP 2016 — the long and short of it
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
DPP 2016 was released by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on 28 March 2016 coinciding with the inauguration of DefExpo 2016 in Goa — showing how much Indian Defence has haphazardly progressed.
Mini Air Vehicles — will army get them soon?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
In August last year the Army had issued a request for information (RFI) for 600 mini aerial vehicles (MAVs).
South China Sea — Dragon laying eggs
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
India has never claimed the Indian Ocean but China has been saying periodically that Indian Ocean does not belong to India — exhibiting the intellect of a special child.
Indo-US Defence Ties
By Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd.)
India and the US share strategic objectives and one area in which in there is positive convergence between the two nations is the rising threat from China.
Indo-US Military Ties Deepening — but so are US-Pakistan
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Writing in the Washington Post on March 3, Dan Lamothe in an article titled 'The US And India Are Deepening Military Ties - And China Is Watching' has...
Defence Budget 2016-2017
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Defence Minister Mohan Parrikar chaired a Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting on February 22, holding that arms acquisition proposals worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore were cleared by the NDA government...
Big Ticket Make in India - in defence
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Make in India is in the air including in the defence sector, with big ticket projects on the anvil. Senior defence officials of foreign countries are making a beeline for India, with US Defence Secretary too slated...
Special Operations Command — needed urgently
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Amidst numerous recommendation of the Naresh Chandra Committee, one was establishment of a Special Operations Command. India has been combating proxy wars for over past three decades.
Spectrum Woes — ignoring military requirements
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Developing India requires loads of money and spectrum sure is lot of money. As per media Rs 469,000 crore (US $70 billion) worth upcoming spectrum sale...
C4I2SR — is this getting adequate attention?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
The increasing importance C4I2SR is unquestionable. Battlefield requirements have changed with long range precision weapons...
Technology Vision 2035 — what about defence?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
The Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) under the Ministry of Science & Technology has come out...
Modi's Lahore Surprise — future portends?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
The surprise sprung by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his hitherto unannounced visit to Lahore was received with shock an awe at home — first reports coming in that Modi will be hosted by Nawaz Sharif...
Critical Skies — anyone bothered?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Close on the warning last year by the BJP MP Maj Gen BC Khanduri led Parliamentary Committee for Defence that the situation of the equipping...
Abe's Visit — special strategic partnership goes more special
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
The strategic significance of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India comes not because it is in the following year as Prime Minister Modi's visit to Japan, but also since Japan is a vital anchor for India's 'Act East' Policy...
Indo-Russian Bonds — remain strong
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Russia later in the month to attend the annual India-Russia Summit. Indo-Russian strategic partnership goes much beyond mere sale-purchase of military hardware...
Lessons from 26/11 — what have we learned?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Many would question what have we learned from the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks that created Mayhem and created national uproar in 2008? A cartoon in the media shows a Mumbai policeman still without bulletproof jacket, helmet and carrying a stick instead of a weapon even on the eve of 26/11 despite...
Airstrikes on ISIS
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
The world must acknowledge that ISIS may have 14^th century ideology but it has access to technology and weaponry of the current century.
PM Modi's UK Visit
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
With 1.4 million Indian origin Britons ready to welcome PM Modi and the need for PM David Cameron to woo them, the stage was already set for a successful UK visit by Modi.
FDI in Defence — ease of business?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
On November 10, the government announced a host of measures to ease business along with FDI reforms in 15 sectors including defence, stating that FDI bids worth up to 49% of equity will now progress through the so-called "automatic route".
FDI in the Indian Defence Industry
By Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd.)
The major global investors seeking to make large investments in the defence sector, are unlikely to find the change to be a significant departure from the past.
South China Sea - testing times
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
South China Sea (SCS) is increasingly in the news with speculations about a likely US-China confrontation. While actual conflict may not occur but it certainly is testing times.
Naval Commanders' Conference - 02/2015
By Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd.)
The second edition of bi-annual Naval Commanders' Conference was conducted at New Delhi from October 26 to 28, 2015. Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral RK Dhowan chaired the conference and addressed the Navy's top leadership...
Gwadar — China has her way
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Though the 50-year lease of Gilgit-Baltistan to China has been kept under wraps by the Pakistani government despite reports in US and regional media of Pakistan, it is official now that Gwadar Port Authority has rented 923 hectare...
A National War Memorial in India
By Lt General V.K. Kapoor (Retd.)
The clamour for a national war memorial from the armed forces and even non government bodies has been fairly loud in the past decade or so. This is especially noteworthy because in the past 67 years since independence, the Indian Armed forces have been constantly involved in military operations...
INS Kochi named after traditional home of Destroyers
By Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd.)
The ship design not only incorporates most advanced design concepts for improved survivability, stealth, sea-keeping, and manoeuvrability; its weapons and sensors are those of the best in the class.
Indian Navy's Rotary Wing in Doldrums?
By Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd.)
The capability of the ship based helicopters to operate out at sea, for extended periods of time on task, with enormous flexibility to avoid radar detection make them invaluable for maritime role.
New Tri-Service Commands — how effective will they be?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
As per media reports, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on August 19 has directed HQ IDS to "work out and fine-tune" the "basic structures" for the Cyber, Aerospace and Special Operations Commands.
Maldives — Chinese Octopus eyes nest
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
China may have been referred to as Dragon in the past but in yin and yang terminology the dragon is yang that complements yinfenghuang (Chinese phoenix). Chinese emperors used dragons as royal symbols albeit some depictions of the Chinese dragon are of a snake-like creature with four legs.
New DPP — what should be its contours?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
The country, most prominently the private defence manufacturers await the new DPP with baited breath. The 10-member committee appointed by MoD was to submit its report on July 31.
Permanent Chairman COSC — a myth of toothless wonder
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
The media has quoted MoD sources stating on July 21 that the proposal to create the new post of a Permanent Chairman of the COSC was at "an advanced stage of planning" now, albeit the post would have to be ultimately approved...
Lockheed Martin to Acquire Sikorsky
By Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd.)
The acquisition of Sikorsky Aircraft will enable Lockheed Martin to access new markets abroad and add value to its portfolio through enhanced sales in the military segment of its business.
Indo-US Bi-lateral Defence and Strategic Partnership
By Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd.)
On June 04, 2015 India and the US signed a new strategically important 10-year defence framework pact which envisaged joint development...
Modi-Nawaz Meet — old wine in new bottle
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Trust the media to go berserk anytime PM Modi is likely to meet. So it was expected that when they did meet in Ufa, Russia on the sidelines of the BRICS and SCO summits on July 10, the media went overboard declaring it was a tremendous 'breakthrough'.
Modi-Nawaz meet in offing — but Outcome?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Media is agog with news of possibility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the annual summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Russian next month.
Respecting National Security
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
As per media reports, the recent visit by the NSA to Myanmar to tie up joint Indo-Myanmar operations against the Naga and other insurgents lodged inside Myanmar territory did not get the expected response from the Myanmar...
Chinese Submarines on the Prowl in Indian Ocean Region
By Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd.)
Recent reports of a conventional Chinese submarine entering...
Restructured leadership of DRDO
By Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd.)
Leadership changes in DRDO signal the determination of the government to propel the organisation to attain significantly higher levels of indigenisation in defence hardware with enhanced levels of accountability.
Chinese Naval Presence - A Threat to Indian Ocean Region?
By Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd.)
PLA Navy's activities are minutely monitored by Indian Navy and our belief is that the responsibility of protecting Indian Ocean and our coastline lies with the Navy.
Modi Government and the Armed Forces
By General V.P. Malik (Retd)
When the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) came into power in the Centre on 26th May 2014, the general perception and expectations in the armed forces were that it will follow a pro-active policy on the external security front and will be more sympathetic on the welfare issues of the armed forces personnel.
The Year Gone By — Not in Vain!
By Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd.)
The government has the capability to deliver; but will need time.
One year of Defence under Modi Government
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
It is envisaged that under a new procurement policy, at least half of India's total weapon and equipment needs in the next 10 to 12 years (worth more than $100 billion) could be produced domestically.
Progress in the Defence Sector in the Past One year
By Lt General V.K. Kapoor (Retd.)
The present NDA government was sworn in on 26 May 2014. Thus one year later there is an intense debate in the country about the progress made by this government on all fronts and the results are mixed.
Taking Stock of Naval Acquisition Plan
By Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd.)
Past one year has witnessed a positive push forward by the Government for the dormant schemes, especially for the sub-surface fleet where the capability gaps are widening, is indeed re-assuring.
The End of a Dilemma
By Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd.)
The speed with which the DAC has cleared the "single vendor" Airbus-TASL proposal for the 56 C-295 aircraft is indicative of a welcome change in the approach of the bureaucracy towards defence procurement.
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter — A Troubled Endeavour
By Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd.)
There is a need to improve the quality of project management to enable the US armed forces to realize the full potential of this new generation...
First Scorpene Undocked
By Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd.)
In October 2005, the contract for 'Project-75' was awarded to French defence giant DCNS to build six Franco- Spanish Scorpene-class diesel attack...
Unfortunate Crash of a Braveheart
By Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd.)
The Dornier, Do-228, belonging to the Indian Navy Air Squadron 310 and based at INS Hansa in Goa took-off at 6.30 pm on Tuesday, March 24, 2015...
Defence Budget 2015-2016
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
The Fiinance Minister has announced a defence budget of Rs 2,46,727 crores for FY 2015-16. This announcement has come in the backdrop of a few other defence related news items...
The New DPP
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar acknowledged on sidelines of Aero India 2015 that Make in Defence for the defence sector required streamlining.
Sino-Indian Relations — new horizons
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
It is but typical of China to shroud her intent in a cloak of ambiguity.
President Sirisena's visit and beyond
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
Close on the heels of Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Mangala Samarveera's 'pilgrimage' to New Delhi came the state visit by President Maithripala Sirisena to India starting today.
Need to Revamp Coastal Security
By Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd.)
This episode has uncanny similarity with the one on November 26, 2008, sponsored by the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan.
Agenda for the new Raksha Mantri
By Admiral Arun Prakash (Retd.)
If there is one lesson we should have learnt during our 67 years as a sovereign republic, it is that security shortcomings, both internal and external, have repeatedly served to distract our attention and divert scarce resources away...
Mandate for the Defence Minister
By Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd.)
The former Chief Minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar has taken over as the Minister of Defence at a time when the nation is confronted...
Agenda for Defence Minister
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd.)
After a long break, India finally has a full time Defence Minister in Mr Manohar Parrikar.
Prime Minister Modi's visit to USA: A preliminary assessment
By Admiral Arun Prakash (Retd.)
Such is the intensity of India's domestic political activity, as compared to other democracies, that it makes huge demands on the time and mind-space of its leadership. Aware of this pitfall Narendra Modi had obviously charted...