Group Captain Murli Menon (Retd)

All stories by Group Captain Murli Menon (Retd)

Why is Russian air force missing in action?

Why is Russian air force missing in action?

Rediff.com12 Mar 2022

Only 75 aircraft were deployed to support the invasion, observes Group Captain Murli Menon (retd).

Gunjan Saxena: IAF's negative portrayal is overstated

Gunjan Saxena: IAF's negative portrayal is overstated

Rediff.com29 Aug 2020

'I did not find anything atrociously out of place about the depiction of the IAF's image,' says Group Captain Murli Menon (retd).

Will coronavirus topple Trump?

Will coronavirus topple Trump?

Rediff.com18 Mar 2020

'It is perplexing to see the leader of the First World with a first rate medical infrastructure come up short on its foresight to handle the pandemic,' notes Group Captain Murli Menon (retd).

Shooting down Ukranian jet: Event waiting to happen

Shooting down Ukranian jet: Event waiting to happen

Rediff.com13 Jan 2020

In a war situation, the policy of 'what is not mine is enemy' tends to hold sway. It is high time professional militaries took air defence seriously, notes Group Captain Murli Menon (retd).somewhat, it is high time professional militaries took Air Defence seriously, suggests Group Captain Murli Menon (retd).

Soleimani Killing: Lessons for India to learn

Soleimani Killing: Lessons for India to learn

Rediff.com8 Jan 2020

'Drone warfare has come to stay.' 'India should exploit the expected Reaper acquisition from the US to build an effective counter terror campaign,' argues Group Captain Murli Menon (retd).

Drones over Punjab: Need for offensive action

Drones over Punjab: Need for offensive action

Rediff.com15 Oct 2019

'If UAV technology is used by the adversary to target VIPs or strategic targets it would be a different ball game altogether,' says Group Captain Murli Menon (retd).

Do clouds really affect air strikes as PM Modi said?

Do clouds really affect air strikes as PM Modi said?

Rediff.com15 May 2019

'The impact of merely innocent clouding on radar waves is not expected to be significant on air defence radars of either country to affect operational profiles in modern day context. '

F16s for IAF: Best way to neutralise PAF

F16s for IAF: Best way to neutralise PAF

Rediff.com2 Apr 2019

Group Captain Murli Menon (retd) reveals how India can neutralise the Pakistan air force's combat capabilities without firing a shot.

India must use airpower to eliminate terrorists

India must use airpower to eliminate terrorists

Rediff.com7 Mar 2019

'It is time India thought big not only about its global clout politically and diplomatically, but also act its size against pin-pricking by anti national elements,' says Group Captain Murli Menon (retd).

IAF must reveal how many terrorists were killed

IAF must reveal how many terrorists were killed

Rediff.com5 Mar 2019

'Having been an air warrior myself for three decades, I am sure the IAF has all the info in place to be divulged at the right time,' says Group Captain Murli Menon (retd).

Why IAF needs planes like this for anti-terror ops

Why IAF needs planes like this for anti-terror ops

Rediff.com4 Mar 2019

'Employment of dedicated lightweight special forces aircraft may provide the answer for repeat anti-terror air strikes with surprise elements intact, the cost benefit assured and attrition minimal,' says Group Captain Murli Menon (retd), India's former air adviser in Pakistan.

Lessons IAF must learn from this week's missions

Lessons IAF must learn from this week's missions

Rediff.com2 Mar 2019

'It is my opinion that not releasing the Balakote Battle Damage Assessment immediately post strike was a phenomenal blunder, perception battle wise,' says Group Captain Murli Menon (retd), India's former air adviser in Pakistan.

Pakistan must return Abhi unharmed, promptly

Pakistan must return Abhi unharmed, promptly

Rediff.com27 Feb 2019

'It is the bounden duty of the Indian government to leave no stone unturned to have the pilot back urgently.' 'If that is not done in the desirable manner, it could well be a trigger for much more serious a conflagration in the subcontinent,' says Group Captain Murli Menon (retd).

What will Pakistan's response be?

What will Pakistan's response be?

Rediff.com27 Feb 2019

'Having spent four years in that country and been able to assess the thought process of their military up close, I am of the opinion that a reprisal is inevitable.' 'The Pak military lives in a high ego make believe world (even believing a nuclear war is fightable!) and I know they WILL respond soon enough,' says Group Captain Murli Menon (retd).

HAL: Non performance, nil accountability

HAL: Non performance, nil accountability

Rediff.com4 Feb 2019

facilities at Bangalore one understands the financial year end frenzy at these establishments and the slipshod slippages in timeframes, quality of overhaul, servicing and quality control across the board, for aircraft and equipment alike,' says Group Captain Murli Menon (retd).

Why the world's top airshow disappointed me

Why the world's top airshow disappointed me

Rediff.com2 Aug 2018

'For a show that has been going on since 1948 one expected a certain standard of showcasing and showmanship, besides variety and a show of skill.' 'At the same time one felt pretty good about the standards of our own efforts -- Aero India -- at Bangalore once every four years and in business only since 1996,' says Group Captain Murli Menon (retd) after a visit to the Farnborough Airshow.

Arjan Singh was a beacon of military leadership

Arjan Singh was a beacon of military leadership

Rediff.com18 Sep 2017

He was awarded the distinguished Flying Cross in 1944. This honour is equivalent to today's Param Vir Chakra. The Arjan Singh Trust for needy air force personnel was set up out of the proceeds of his farm house in Delhi being sold. He was a charismatic leader of men and lived up to the fine traditions of soldiering, says Group Captain Murli Menon (retd).

Sitharaman must not let PMO run her ship

Sitharaman must not let PMO run her ship

Rediff.com11 Sep 2017

Nirmala Sitharaman has a God given opportunity to orchestrate a transformation in India's defence capabilities. One hopes she has her own counsel and does not overly let the PMO run her ship, says Group Captain Murli Menon (retd).

The futility of massive bombs

The futility of massive bombs

Rediff.com28 Apr 2017

'Large-impact aerial weapons have no use against dictator regimes or terrorist entities,' says Group Captain Murli Menon (retd).

Jadhav is unlikely to be executed

Jadhav is unlikely to be executed

Rediff.com11 Apr 2017

Was the death sentence provoked by a retired Pakistani colonel going missing in Nepal, presumably abducted by Indian agents?

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