All stories by Ajai Shukla
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.
'Where do we draw the line', asks army over Sri Sri event
Rediff.com10 Mar 2016Many senior officers believe the chief should have taken a stronger stand against using army resources to help what one officer calls "a government-friendly godman".
Defence budget must reflect reality
Rediff.com16 Feb 2016Unimaginative increments, persistent refusal of funds have turned the military into an underfed child scared to ask for a full meal.
Fully built desi trainer aircraft readies to fly
Rediff.com6 Feb 2016In a boost to 'Make in India, the HTT-40 rolled out of the hangar with all its lights flashing and its cockpit powered on.
India gears up to show off its naval might in the International Fleet Review
Rediff.com4 Feb 2016Once in each President's term in office, he or she carries out a "naval fleet review", a deliberately public assembly of the entire fleet.
Dynamatic and the long road to 'Make in India'
Rediff.com2 Feb 2016Starting as a maker of hydraulic pumps, the Bengaluru-based company graduated to components for automakers like BMW and Audi, and then Airbus and Boeing
Modi and Doval need a Pakistan gameplan
Rediff.com19 Jan 2016India should adopt a pro-active strategy on Pakistan -- catalysing, facilitating and making room for a change in its anti-India posture.