All stories by Ajai Shukla
India's dream fighter jet: Boeing says it can deliver
Rediff.com19 Nov 2016Boeing's plan involves setting up an Indian factory and the aerospace ecosystem to build the Block II Super Hornet.
Will Super Hornets bridge IAF's 200-aircraft gap?
Rediff.com4 Nov 2016Boeing expects the IAF to soon place an inquiry for twin-engine fighter jets to bridge a 200-aircraft gap in its armoury. And the Super Hornet is ready to fly in.
Time to seize the moment in Kashmir
Rediff.com1 Nov 2016New Delhi has repeatedly missed opportunities for political engagement in Kashmir in the past. It must seize the next one, says Ajai Shukla.
Russian protection for India against Pak nuclear attack
Rediff.com26 Oct 2016'With Pakistan's 'first use doctrine' threatening the use of nuclear weapons early in a war with India, the S-400 will shield vulnerable targets like Delhi and Mumbai, complicating Pakistan's targeting calculations.'
2nd Russian nuclear submarine will replace INS Chakra
Rediff.com24 Oct 2016The second SSN that India is negotiating to lease from Russia will only replace the Chakra, when its 10-year lease expires, reports Ajai Shukla.
Will F-16s be made in India?
Rediff.com20 Oct 2016Lockheed Martin's offer involves transferring the world's only F-16 production line from Fort Worth, Texas, to India. Thereafter, every F-16 built, and a large share of the spare parts and sub-systems for every F-16 flying across the globe would come from India.
Govt may restore military's disability benefits
Rediff.com18 Oct 2016With the PMO itself spearheading a re-evaluation, the Director General of Defence Accounts has been asked to justify its earlier contention that the 'slab based' system would benefit a larger number of disabled veterans -- something the army flatly denies, reports Ajai Shukla.
Day after strikes, government slashes army's disability pensions
Rediff.com10 Oct 2016'Instead of joining us in celebrating the strikes, the MoD has stabbed us in the back,' says a top general.
4 reasons why Rafale could ruin Modi and Parrikar's party
Rediff.com23 Sep 2016There is considerable discomfort within the defence ministry about the Rafale deal.
Military men to have say on 7th Pay Commission
Rediff.com22 Sep 2016'The high court notice could go some way in easing the vitiated civil-military relationship, and the trust deficit between civil servants and the military.'
Modi has discovered there are no plans to punish Pakistan
Rediff.com21 Sep 2016'NSA Doval and the PM are known to admire Israel's tough response to cross-border terrorism.' 'However, New Delhi's situation is far more complex than Tel Aviv's, which enjoys military superiority over all its neighbours,' says Ajai Shukla.
How India can execute a military strike in Pakistan
Rediff.com21 Sep 2016'The Indian Army can easily initiate retaliation.' 'But escalation would be both inevitable and unpredictable.'
Despite warnings Uri camp was not well guarded
Rediff.com19 Sep 2016The Uri brigade was given pinpoint intelligence warnings about an impending attack. Yet, the Uri camp was taken by surprise.
Desi Light Utility Helicopter makes a 'flawless' flight
Rediff.com7 Sep 2016The light utility helicopter will replace the military's obsolescent fleet of Chetak and Cheetah helicopters that have flown for over three decades.
Why the CH-47F Chinook gives Indian pilots a high
Rediff.com3 Sep 2016The CH-47F version of the Chinook that India is buying from the United States is a high-tech marvel.
India scurries to plug Scorpene leak
Rediff.com25 Aug 2016Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar immediately ordered the navy chief to personally inquire into what this meant for India's maritime security.
A frightening contest begins each time curfew is lifted
Rediff.com2 Aug 2016For a Valley on the boil, there is ample proof that New Delhi simply does not care.
IAF bases won't be caught off guard in war
Rediff.com1 Jul 2016The successful test firing of medium range surface-to-air missiles is welcome news for the IAF.
Brahmos-fitted Sukhoi-30 takes IAF to a new high
Rediff.com26 Jun 2016IAF pilots would no longer have to fly deep into heavily defended airspace to strike enemy bases, they can launch a Brahmos from as far away as 295 km.
The HTT-40 now needs to fly full throttle
Rediff.com18 Jun 2016HAL made its point against a sceptical Indian Air Force, which opposed the HTT-40 project, blocked funding, and imported an expensive Swiss trainer rather than backing the HTT-40.