There are boundary disputes and then there are outright wars. Hot and cold. Diplomatic and military. This podcast will dissect all that’s mean and subtle about ...
India cruising along with fab cruise missile programme: What makes it so special | In Our Defence, S02, Ep 47
On November 12, the DRDO conducted the maiden flight test of the Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM), successfully meeting all mission objectives. Just days later, on November 16, India achieved another milestone by testing its first long-range hypersonic missile, joining an elite club of nations with this cutting-edge capability.What makes these tests so special?In this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor analyse their significance for India’s defence landscape. What do these tests reveal about India's growing missile technology? How do they enhance the country’s strategic position globally?The LRLACM test was especially significant because it showcased the Manik engine, a homegrown development representing a major advancement in the country’s missile propulsion technology.Are these breakthroughs sufficient to ensure India’s self-reliance in defence technology?Looking back at the evolution of missile technology, the duo traces its journey from primitive war implements to sophisticated systems like the BrahMos. How has this technological evolution transformed modern warfare and diplomacy?Moreover, they revisit the legacy of the BrahMos project as a model of international collaboration and technological growth.Tune in!Produced by Anna PriyadarshiniSound mix by Sachin DwivediBinge on the previous episodes here:How India hit it out of the park with the legendary BrahMos cruise missile: https://podcasts.indiatoday.in/politics-&-history/in-our-defence/how-india-hit-it-out-of-the-park-with-the-legendary-brahmos-cruise-missile-in-our-defence-s02-ep-21-991112-2024-04-25Hypersonic missiles tested in Iran-Israel conflict: Game-changer in modern warfare? https://podcasts.indiatoday.in/politics-&-history/in-our-defence/hypersonic-missiles-tested-in-iran-israel-conflict-game-changer-in-modern-warfare-in-our-defence-s02-ep-42-1101993-2024-10-04America to blame for Tejas delay? https://podcasts.indiatoday.in/politics-&-history/in-our-defence/america-to-blame-for-tejas-delay-in-our-defence-s02-ep-31-1052148-2024-07-18
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The ‘unsexy’ world of Indian spy agencies and decoding the Pannun murder ‘plot’ row | In Our Defence, S02, Ep 46
Recent events have put the Indian intelligence establishment under scrutiny, especially after a high-profile incident that raised questions about its effectiveness. An indictment filed by the U.S. Department of Justice on October 18 in a New York court charged Vikash Yadav and his associate Nikhil Gupta with murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering. The target was Khalistani separatist and Sikhs For Justice founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York in June 2023. Yadav, a former Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer, was reportedly working with India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) at the time. The incident raises concerns about intelligence oversight. But what does the intelligence world look like? What does the job of an intelligence officer truly entail? How are covert operations planned and executed, and where do the gaps lie? Does the Pannun incident reveal deeper issues within India’s intelligence framework? In this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor examine the intricacies of India’s intelligence agencies, often portrayed in a “Bollywoodised” lens of intrigue and mystery. They break down terms like “intel,” “actionable intelligence,” and “intelligence failure” and look past the sensationalised images to reveal the real challenges and operational dynamics faced by Indian intelligence. Tune in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi
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Why Indian Air Force is in hunt for fighter jets all over again| In Our Defence, S02, Ep 45
With a steady decline in active squadrons, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently operating well below its optimal strength of 42 squadrons. Numbers are expected to dip further as older aircraft retire.In this episode, Shiv and Dev unpack India’s decision to initiate a new global competition for fighter jets to fill a critical gap in the IAF’s strength.The IAF initially purchased 36 Rafales (far fewer than the original 126 needed); India’s MRFA tender—an acquisition plan for 114 fighter jets—aims to address this need.But, with the Rafale already in service and extensively customised for Indian requirements, the duo questions the necessity of another costly, lengthy competition. Why repeat the process when the Rafale was chosen a decade ago? Yes, we do require more aircraft, but do we need another contest? Is political wrangling slowing down India’s defence readiness?What’s driving this return to a complex competition, and can India afford further delays in bolstering its aerial capabilities?They propose a straightforward contest between the Rafale and Boeing’s F-15, a newer contender, to streamline the acquisition and focus on India’s urgent defence needs.Tune in!Read Lockheed Martin's F-21: For India. From India.Produced by Anna PriyadarshiniSound mix by Sachin Dwivedi
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Decoding India-China border deal and looking at what's ahead for two militaries | In Our Defence, S02, Ep 44
India and China have agreed to resume military patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, marking a step toward disengagement, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia for the BRICS Summit. PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first formal discussion since the 2020 border clashes, signalling renewed dialogue after years of military buildup on both sides.In the latest In Our Defence podcast, host Dev Goswami and defence analyst Shiv Aroor break down this diplomatic shift. Does this signal an end to the four-year standoff, or could it be a temporary lull? How significant is the timing, and can these talks lead to tangible changes on the ground? Is this really a 'breakthrough' moment for India? While Modi and Xi’s recent talks may signal diplomatic progress, the hosts remain sceptical, questioning whether China’s intentions are ‘trustworthy’. They explore why India focuses less on trust and more on strategic caution, with each move on the LAC grounded in military readiness rather than expectations of goodwill.The real test, the hosts suggest, lies in the details of implementation. Will there be clear timelines and phased steps, or will the process remain slow and complex? And what could a cautious, phased approach mean for long-term peace between the two countries? The hosts weigh in on what this could mean for the future of relations between the two nations.Produced by Anna PriyadarshiniSound mix by Sachin Dwivedi
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Nuclear-powered attack submarines cleared: How these ‘sharks’ will give Indian Navy new teeth | In Our Defence, S02, Ep 43
Can you picture a ship that can stay hidden under water for months on end, manoeuvre sharply and speedily, and surface at just at the right time, literally out of the blue, to wreak havoc on the enemy? That's a nuclear-powered attack submarine, or SSN, for you. Nuclear strategist Rear Admiral Raja Menon (retired) once called these submarines "the ultimate arbiter of sea power". But what it is about these submarines that makes them so lethal? Dev Goswami and Shiv Aroor take a deep dive on this and much more on the latest episode of In Our Defence. The Cabinet Committee on Security recently gave the go-ahead to develop and build two of these ‘sharks’ under a project that has been long pending. On this episode, Dev and Shiv take a look at the super capabilities of nuclear-powered attack submarines, why the Indian Navy desperately needs them, and edge that the two now under-development sharks will give once they are in service. Crucially, the two also discuss why the project to build these submarines was hanging fire for so long and delve on the opportunities that were lost as a result. This is and more on this insightful new episode. Tune in! Produced & Mixed By: Kapil Dev Singh
There are boundary disputes and then there are outright wars. Hot and cold. Diplomatic and military. This podcast will dissect all that’s mean and subtle about the defence of our nations. A weekly podcast where our host Dev Goswami is joined by India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor, Shiv Aroor, to discuss on defence policy issues.
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