All stories by Ajai Shukla
Pak army chief wanted ceasefire with India
Rediff.com5 Mar 2021General Bajwa, unlike many of his predecessors, believes the Pakistan army's long-term interests lie in reducing tensions with India, reports Ajai Shukla.
HAL's HTT-40 comes in from the cold
Rediff.com16 Feb 2021Seven years ago, an IAF chief had ordered the HTT-40 to be removed from the Yelahanka air base. The IAF now wants HAL to build 108 HTT-40 aircraft.
Why did India agree to vacate Ladakh heights?
Rediff.com13 Feb 2021It has been argued that India should have held back on disengagement from the Kailash Range, using that as a trump card to force Chinese concessions in areas such as Depsang, where they hold the advantage.
Is this how India is funding the stand-off with China?
Rediff.com10 Feb 2021Has the army confronted China, equipping itself with emergency purchases that have been largely paid for by pensioners, asks Ajai Shukla.
Tejas is superior to Sino-Pak's J-19, but...
Rediff.com29 Jan 2021The Tejas Mark 1A outperforms the Sino-Pakistan JF-17 Thunder in avionics and weaponry, but the finance ministry's tax burden makes the Indian LCA costlier and hurts it in the export market.
Aero India 21: Fewer flying displays
Rediff.com28 Jan 2021For the defence ministry, Aero India 2021 is an opportunity to show its commitment to the prime minister's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.
Ladakh Standoff: Why doesn't army want this tank?
Rediff.com19 Jan 2021DRDO is offering a 30-35-tonne light tank that it says will be a match for what the army faces -- China's new Type-15 light tank.
China, not Pakistan, is now India's Enemy No 1
Rediff.com15 Jan 2021Until last month more than two-thirds of the Indian Army was deployed against Pakistan. Of 14 army corps, just four-and-a-half faced China, while more than twice that number was ranged against Pakistan.
What will IAF do with Air India's A-320s?
Rediff.com1 Jan 2021The airliners will be withdrawn from Air India, sent to France to fit airborne radars, then handed over to DRDO to be integrated with the complex software that will allow these aircraft to function as 'eye-in-the-sky' controllers of air force battles.
Akash for sale to wary of China nations
Rediff.com31 Dec 2020India is pursuing sales to South East Asian countries that are wary of Chinese aggression, including Vietnam and the Philippines.
Boeing tests Super Hornet for Indian Navy
Rediff.com26 Dec 2020Boeing's confirmation that the Super Hornet has flown off a ski-jump is a statement that it is ready to operate off existing Indian aircraft carriers.
Israeli firm wants to build guns for India
Rediff.com18 Dec 2020Will the low cost Israeli Athos gun scuttle India's ATAGS gun?
Instead of Ladakh, MPs were discussing uniforms!
Rediff.com17 Dec 2020Top military officers, including Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, had been summoned to make presentations on military uniforms.
Why the Indian Navy isn't ready for war
Rediff.com14 Dec 2020There is concern about the poor state of readiness of the navy's 140 warships which face severe shortages in sonar equipment, helicopters and torpedoes.
What Modi needs to tell Biden next month
Rediff.com11 Dec 2020Prime Minister Modi needs to call Biden next month and clearly say: 'Mr President, the threat from China is clear and present. We, in New Delhi, have determined it to be an urgent national priority to outfit our submarines and aircraft carriers with nuclear propulsion and we want to cooperate with America on this programme",' advises Ajai Shukla.
49 years after its greatest triumph, navy starved of funds
Rediff.com5 Dec 2020The navy finds itself fighting for relevance, with navy planners lamenting that its share of the budget has dropped dramatically.
What L&T's 54 fast interceptor craft can do
Rediff.com3 Dec 2020The fast interceptor craft delivered can patrol the coastline at a scorching speed of 45 knots.
Atmanirbhar Bharat put off to buy Israeli guns
Rediff.com30 Nov 2020'We cannot understand why the government is facilitating the import of artillery when our indigenous guns are doing so well.'
Defence equipment: To lease or not to lease?
Rediff.com30 Nov 2020Admiral describes it as 'a path-breaking change'; defence ministry official disagrees.
Made in India artillery gun is ready to fire
Rediff.com20 Nov 2020The gun is unique in its ability to fire a five-round burst, while no other contemporary The gun is unique in its ability to fire a five-round burst, while no other contemporary gun exceeds three-round bursts. This brings down a greater quantity of explosive onto the target before enemy soldiers can take cover