In Our Defence

A leaked letter from Lieutenant General Rajiv Puri has ignited a debate about women in the Indian Army. The October 1 letter, based on an “in-house review” of eight colonel-ranked women officers under his command, raises concerns like “ego issues,” “lack of empathy,” and challenges in leadership styles. This has divided opinion — is the letter reflective of ingrained patriarchy in the military or a critique of preparedness for command roles? This controversy comes against the backdrop of historic steps like granting permanent commissions to women in 2020, following a Supreme Court order, and promoting 108 women officers to colonel rank in February 2023. But how did an internal letter get leaked? What does it reveal about the military's structural resistance to women in leadership roles? And how does the Indian Army compare with the Navy and Air Force, where women have been flying fighters and serving on warships since 2015? Join host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor as they unpack the uproar, explore the historical resistance to gender integration in the military, and discuss the slow but inevitable path toward inclusion envisioned by figures like the Late Lt. General Bipin Rawat. Tune in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi

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

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

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