All stories by 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.
Desi trainer aircraft makes maiden flight
Rediff.com31 May 2016The test flight is a victory for public sector undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, which has strongly backed the Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 project, defying a skeptical Indian Air Force
Has Modi met the soldiers' expectations?
Rediff.com24 May 2016The Modi government has not lived up to the muscularity the prime minister promised while campaigning, says Ajai Shukla
Modi govt's defence report card: Not good enough
Rediff.com24 May 2016The Modi government has not lived up to the muscularity the prime minister promised while campaigning, says Ajai Shukla.
Did India show a lack of spine in Dharamsala?
Rediff.com10 May 2016Cancelling Uighur leader Dolkun Isa's visa could have been a mutual face-saving exercise for New Delhi and Beijing.
Lessons Americans can teach Indians in military command
Rediff.com26 Apr 2016Opposition to tri-service structures comes not just from bureaucrats and politicians as the generals like to lament, but equally from within the military. Neither the army, navy or air force chiefs want to relinquish control over their theatre commands, with these cutting edge units placed under some commander who reports elsewhere, says Ajai Shukla.
Why the army is down and out in Kashmir
Rediff.com21 Apr 2016'Worryingly, intelligence assessments indicate that growing disaffection amongst the youth is ceding ground to fundamentalist Islamist groups like Islamic State,' reports Ajai Shukla.
It's time to get real in US-India defence ties
Rediff.com12 Apr 2016New Delhi remains a priggish suitor to Washington's overtures, but it has begun appreciating potential tech benefits to ties with the US.
US Cyber Command ready for war
Rediff.com9 Apr 2016Cyberspace is a battleground as important as the traditional domains of air, land, sea and space, says US Defence Secretary Ash Carter, who visits India next week.
Army opposed building bridges for Sri Sri event
Rediff.com23 Mar 2016Army gave three good reasons why it could not build the bridges for Ravi Shankar's event. Defence ministry overruled the army's objections, reveals Ajai Shukla.
Is Indian army's secularism under stress?
Rediff.com16 Mar 2016The foundations of the army's own peculiar secularism are potentially being destabilised
The Rafale fighter jet deal is nosediving!
Rediff.com15 Mar 2016The disagreement over liability further complicates any early conclusion of the Rafale contract.