News for '-ajai-shukla'

Mahindra to make India's own Humvee

Mahindra to make India's own Humvee

Rediff.com31 Mar 2021

Mahindra's LSV is an extremely agile combat vehicle with all round protection against small arms fire.

DRDO's Kaveri engine to fly pilot-less bomber aircraft

DRDO's Kaveri engine to fly pilot-less bomber aircraft

Rediff.com26 Dec 2012

Although underpowered for fast-moving fighter aircraft, the Defence Research and Development Organisation believes the Kaveri is well suited for the Unmanned Strike Air Vehicle, reports Ajai Shukla

Nawaz Sharif is back, but what does it mean for India?

Nawaz Sharif is back, but what does it mean for India?

Rediff.com14 May 2013

Behind Nawaz Sharif's 'peace with India' stance remain unanswered questions about his role in the Kargil conflict and his family's links with the Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Jaish-e-Muhammad, says Ajai Shukla

Army wants to transfer top generals amid China border row

Army wants to transfer top generals amid China border row

Rediff.com25 Apr 2013

As a tense stand-off continues on the Sino-Indian border in Ladakh, where a Chinese patrol has apparently established a camp eight km inside India, the ministry of defence is confronted with a difficult decision -- an inexplicable army proposal to shift top generals, which would see key hotspots being placed under new commanders, unfamiliar with the situation.

Indian Army matches China man-for-man on the border!

Indian Army matches China man-for-man on the border!

Rediff.com23 Apr 2013

If China's White Paper figures are authentic, the Indian Army, with 1.2 million soldiers, is 50 per cent larger than the PLAA.Ajai Shukla reports

US Sanctions Unlikely For India Buying Russian S-400 Missiles

US Sanctions Unlikely For India Buying Russian S-400 Missiles

Rediff.com24 Mar 2022

Russia has already begun delivery of the first S-400 systems, and the question of sanctions, or of a waiver to sanctions, preoccupies New Delhi.

LoC killings: The ceasefire is alive, not well

LoC killings: The ceasefire is alive, not well

Rediff.com20 Aug 2013

The sharp increase in firing between Indian and Pakistani posts on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir raises the question: is the decade-old ceasefire of 2003 dead? If one side or both are staging cross-border raids and fire is being exchanged daily, it might seem that the ceasefire has irretrievably broken down, even if New Delhi and Islamabad have not acknowledged that, says Ajai Shukla

Is the US' killing-by-drone campaign useful?

Is the US' killing-by-drone campaign useful?

Rediff.com11 Jun 2012

Visiting United States Defence Secretary Leon Panetta on Wednesday, strongly backed America's drone campaign, which flies unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, from Afghanistan into Pakistan's tribal areas to launch missile attacks on terrorists who feature on a detailed hit list, says Ajai Shukla

Wake up, generals!

Wake up, generals!

Rediff.com30 Oct 2012

It is difficult to remain idealistic, motivated and dead straight -- the defining characteristics of young Indian Army officers -- when so much wrongdoing is evident at the top. Even honest officers are inevitably corrupted by a system in which outright financial dishonesty is condoned as "perks and privileges of office", says Ajai Shukla

Sky's the limit for the Indian Navy!

Sky's the limit for the Indian Navy!

Rediff.com8 Nov 2013

The Indian Navy is on its way to becoming a major air force, with the fleet air arm having achieved several landmarks this year, reports Ajai Shukla.

Inside look: The choppy Rs 3600 cr VVIP copter deal

Inside look: The choppy Rs 3600 cr VVIP copter deal

Rediff.com16 Feb 2013

Ajai Shukla gives the inside story of the controversial AW-101 helicopter deal and finds that corruption is endemic to overseas defence deals in India

When disaster strikes: Govts may fail, but not our military

When disaster strikes: Govts may fail, but not our military

Rediff.com26 Jun 2013

The military's earthquake relief operations in Gujarat, Kashmir and Sikkim, and rescue work during the Ladakh flash floods highlight that it is the only effective disaster response force in the country, says Ajai Shukla

PICS: Red Bulls, Rafale jets DAZZLE B'lore air show

PICS: Red Bulls, Rafale jets DAZZLE B'lore air show

Rediff.com6 Feb 2013

Ajai Shukla reports from Bangalore, where Asia's biggest air show opened on Wednesday

Why the K-15 missile success is BIG deal for India

Why the K-15 missile success is BIG deal for India

Rediff.com29 Jan 2013

The underwater leg of the nuclear triad has always been regarded as the most survivable. Going by the January 27 test, the K-15 missile is well up to the task. Ajai Shukla reports

MUST READ: Will the Pakistani army begin to CRACK?

MUST READ: Will the Pakistani army begin to CRACK?

Rediff.com22 Aug 2012

Will Gen Kayani's increasingly conservative soldiers fight the Waziri militants, who have long been lauded as a sword arm of Pakistan, asks Ajai Shukla.

None so blind as those who will not see

None so blind as those who will not see

Rediff.com8 Jan 2013

Even jihadis infiltrating across the Line of Control into Jammu and Kashmir have been found to have better night vision devices than the lavishly funded Indian Army, says Ajai Shukla

US-India ties: A sagging 'strategic partnership'

US-India ties: A sagging 'strategic partnership'

Rediff.com24 Jul 2012

Even as the prime minister's office and the foreign ministry deepen ties with Washington, the defence ministry cold-shoulders the Pentagon, notes Ajai Shukla.

Private defence firms make sales pitch to generals

Private defence firms make sales pitch to generals

Rediff.com14 Oct 2021

The presence of the private sector at a prestigious military training institution is an important acknowledgement of its growing capabilities in designing and manufacturing cutting edge aerospace and defence equipment, reports Ajai Shukla.

Pralay will not be part of India's nuclear deterrent

Pralay will not be part of India's nuclear deterrent

Rediff.com30 Dec 2021

Like the Shourya and Prahar missiles, the Pralay is powered by conventional solid fuel, and its payload is designed to carry only a conventional warhead.

Will Panetta's India visit salvage Javelin missile deal?

Will Panetta's India visit salvage Javelin missile deal?

Rediff.com6 Jun 2012

A dangerous flashpoint in United States-India relations faces visiting US Secretary of Defence, Leon Panetta, who faces tough questions from Indian officials on Tuesday, writes Ajai Shukla

US Worried About Security Leaks From India

US Worried About Security Leaks From India

Rediff.com9 Oct 2021

GSOMIA does not cover the exchange of classified information with Indian private industry. Washington wanted this covered too, given New Delhi's emphasis on the proposed 'strategic partnership' model of procurement.

Bumbling Indian do-gooders CAN'T resolve Tibet row

Bumbling Indian do-gooders CAN'T resolve Tibet row

Rediff.com21 Mar 2012

The notion that New Delhi can talk Beijing into engaging the hated 'Dalai clique' is entirely fanciful, says Ajai Shukla

Why is India reluctant to engage with Mullah Omar?

Why is India reluctant to engage with Mullah Omar?

Rediff.com28 May 2013

Establishing dialogue with the Quetta Shura must be recognised as a key strategic requirement. This would allow India to catalyse a favourable settlement in post-2014 Afghanistan, says Ajai Shukla

India needs to be alert about border dispute with China

India needs to be alert about border dispute with China

Rediff.com10 Jul 2012

China will cheerfully discuss human rights, environmental degradation and a raft of issues. But say the word 'Tibet' and the shutters come down, writes Ajai Shukla

Will the next Army chief be appointed by quotas?

Will the next Army chief be appointed by quotas?

Rediff.com17 Jan 2012

Quotas rule promotions in a "Mandalised" army, finds Ajai Shukla

The 1962 war: How China lost the battle for hearts

The 1962 war: How China lost the battle for hearts

Rediff.com30 Oct 2012

Left to fend for themselves by the Indian Army exactly 50 years ago, the Monpas of Tawang refused to cosy up to the well-mannered Chinese soldiers, report Ajai Shukla and Sonia Trikha Shukla.

India was whipped in 1962 war, but won the peace

India was whipped in 1962 war, but won the peace

Rediff.com16 Oct 2012

It is important to remember the lessons of the 1950s in planning how to counter any Chinese adventurism, says Ajai Shukla

Why India's futuristic fighter won't fly till 2019

Why India's futuristic fighter won't fly till 2019

Rediff.com17 May 2012

Seven years before its scheduled completion, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has already announced a two-year delay in the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) India and Russia are to jointly develop, says Ajai Shukla

It's Rafale vs Boeing for INS Vikrant's fighters

It's Rafale vs Boeing for INS Vikrant's fighters

Rediff.com23 May 2022

The Indian Navy has decided that the twin-seat Rafale will not be disqualified on the basis of its inability to operate from an aircraft carrier.

Dangerous consequences of warships built in India

Dangerous consequences of warships built in India

Rediff.com20 Aug 2012

According to a 2010 CAG report on warship building, this year the navy will have just 44 per cent of the destroyers it needs; 61 per cent of the frigates; and 20 per cent of its requirement of corvettes, reports Ajai Shukla.

Raksha Mantri, Thank You For Rezang La Memorial

Raksha Mantri, Thank You For Rezang La Memorial

Rediff.com26 Nov 2021

The decision to renovate the memorial was taken by Rajnath Singh when he visited Leh in June 2021. Renovation commenced in mid-July and the complex was ready within three months for inauguration on the 59th anniversary of the battle.

India gifts sub to Myanmar: The China angle

India gifts sub to Myanmar: The China angle

Rediff.com16 Oct 2020

In gifting the submarine to Myanmar, India is competing with China for influence in the region.

AFSPA row: Delhi must DECIDE if Kashmir's still a conflict zone

AFSPA row: Delhi must DECIDE if Kashmir's still a conflict zone

Rediff.com14 Dec 2011

Amid a raging debate over AFSPA, a focused internal political dialogue must be launched in Kashmir to reassure the army that yet another hard-won peace will not be squandered by political lethargy, writes Ajai Shukla

India can offer its services to RESOLVE US-Iran row

India can offer its services to RESOLVE US-Iran row

Rediff.com15 May 2012

New Delhi, as the only agent that enjoys trust in all the key capitals, must offer itself as a back-channel interlocutor, says Ajai Shukla

PHOTOS: IAF rookie pilots to train on Swiss aircraft

PHOTOS: IAF rookie pilots to train on Swiss aircraft

Rediff.com4 May 2012

The Union defence ministry is pressing ahead with the Rs 1,800 crore purchase of seventy-five PC-7 Mark II basic trainer aircraft from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd of Switzerland.

Why IAF does NOT need either Eurofighter or Rafale

Why IAF does NOT need either Eurofighter or Rafale

Rediff.com11 Nov 2011

The J-20 fighter prototype, a 5th generation combat aircraft built by China's Chengdu Aircraft Industry, made its first flight on January 11, 2011. This necessitates a re-evaluation of the IAF's procurement of 4th generation medium fighters, which is close to being finalised. Ajai Shukla reports

India's civil-military relations: The threat within?

India's civil-military relations: The threat within?

Rediff.com10 Apr 2012

Students and observers of the Indian military and the structure of its relationship with the defence ministry, and the government of India unanimously agree that, over time, the boundaries of "objective control" have been breached says Ajai Shukla.

COVID-19 claims 1971 War Hero

COVID-19 claims 1971 War Hero

Rediff.com16 Jun 2020

Ajai Shukla salutes the memory of Lieutenant General R M Vohra, Mahavir Chakra, who passes into the ages on Sunday.

MOD blacklists foreign arms vendors without citing charges

MOD blacklists foreign arms vendors without citing charges

Rediff.com26 Mar 2012

To date none of the companies that Defence Minister A K Antony publicly named have been told the charges against them, nor has any CBI charge sheet been filed. Ajai Shukla reports

Army modernisation slow; but Navy, IAF push ahead

Army modernisation slow; but Navy, IAF push ahead

Rediff.com20 Mar 2012

After cost inflation, this year's allocation will buy significantly less than last year's, says Ajai Shukla