Ajai Shukla

Stories by Ajai Shukla

Has Imran Khan bitten off more than he can chew?

Has Imran Khan bitten off more than he can chew?

Rediff.com   19 Aug 2014

Both Messrs Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri claim to march independently, but most of Pakistan believes they are marching to the Army's tune

Naval exercises lead up to high-level US-India visits

Naval exercises lead up to high-level US-India visits

Rediff.com   29 Jul 2014

In the lead up to this week Indo-US Strategic Dialogue, for which United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, will be coming to Delhi, the Indo-US defence engagement is even more intense than usual.

Tri-service military command takes a step forward

Tri-service military command takes a step forward

Rediff.com   28 Jun 2014

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday laid the foundation stone for the Headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff

Divided CII opts for 49% defence FDI limit

Divided CII opts for 49% defence FDI limit

Rediff.com   25 Jun 2014

Several CII defence committee members confirm this is now the official CII position, which conforms to that of industry bodies, Ficci and Assocham.

Will Mr Jaitley bite the 'swadeshi' bullet?

Will Mr Jaitley bite the 'swadeshi' bullet?

Rediff.com   24 Jun 2014

What the new defence minister does with the Rafale fighter jet deal will decide if India wants to build genuine, long-term defence capability through an indigenous product that slashes life-cycle costs, or opt for glitzy signing ceremony with foreign vendors that would please the public, says Ajai Shukla.

Jaitley hints at raising defence FDI cap

Jaitley hints at raising defence FDI cap

Rediff.com   28 May 2014

Arun Jaitley has clarified his custodianship of 3 ministries - finance, corporate affairs and defence.

Pressing the reset button in MoD

Pressing the reset button in MoD

Rediff.com   27 May 2014

Defence Secretary R K Mathur should take to Prime Minister Narendra Modi just five simple measures that would create or catalyse dramatic improvements across the wider defence arena, says Ajai Shukla.

Why India's defence planning is a no-brainer

Why India's defence planning is a no-brainer

Rediff.com   13 May 2014

The defence ministry has signed off on a national security plan that it cannot fund. Ajai Shukla reports

Astra missile debuts from a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter

Astra missile debuts from a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter

Rediff.com   5 May 2014

A fighter aircraft's lethality in air-to-air combat is governed by the air-to-air missile that it carries. Since the Independence, the Indian Air Force has mounted French, Russian and British missiles on its fighters. On Sunday, an IAF Sukhoi-30MKI fighter conducted the first test launch of the indigenous Astra air-to-air missile, which the Defence R&D Organisation is developing at its missile cluster in Hyderabad.

New govt needs new nuclear policy and posture

New govt needs new nuclear policy and posture

Rediff.com   29 Apr 2014

The new government must initiate a comprehensive review of India's nuclear weapons doctrine and posture. Ajai Shukla explains

Arms acquisitions languish without funds or coordination

Arms acquisitions languish without funds or coordination

Rediff.com   4 Feb 2014

India's cumbersome arms procurement procedures and a plodding Ministry of Defence bureaucracy have long been blamed for shortfalls in combat capability. Now there is another, more worrying, reason - a growing crisis of funds, magnified by the lack of tri-service coordination.

Does the military threaten democracy?

Does the military threaten democracy?

Rediff.com   4 Feb 2014

An insecure political class, with little knowledge of the military, has unquestioningly internalised the fear that a powerful tri-service chief would threaten democracy, says Ajai Shukla.

This could be showpiece of Indo-Japan defence partnership

This could be showpiece of Indo-Japan defence partnership

Rediff.com   25 Jan 2014

New Delhi's growing defence partnership with Tokyo could take wing with the US-2 (Utility Seaplane Mark 2), a one-of-a-kind amphibious aircraft that has Indian naval planners goggle-eyed.

Army chief to protest defence ministry treatment of ex-servicemen

Army chief to protest defence ministry treatment of ex-servicemen

Rediff.com   15 Jan 2014

On the eve of Army Day, Army Chief General Bikram Singh says he will raise this issue with the Rajya Raksha Mantri, Jitendra Singh, who oversees the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, reports Ajai Shukla.

Sitara to soon follow Tejas into IAF service

Sitara to soon follow Tejas into IAF service

Rediff.com   20 Dec 2013

Defence Minister A K Antony is flying down to Bangalore to award the Tejas its initial operational certificate on Friday. The Sitara's success in intensive flight-testing this year means that he could soon be making another trip to award an identical certification to the Sitara.

How US Javelin missile spoiled Israeli party in India

How US Javelin missile spoiled Israeli party in India

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2013

The defence ministry is finalising a decision to allow the FGM-148 Javelin missile, built by US companies Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, into a contest to supply the Indian Army with anti-tank guided missiles. This is bad news for Israelis

Winning and losing in Kashmir

Winning and losing in Kashmir

Rediff.com   16 Dec 2013

Why does the army remain embroiled in counter-insurgency, denying itself a peace dividend even after expending blood and treasure in imposing calm?

Tejas LCA sprints towards IAF's frontline squadron

Tejas LCA sprints towards IAF's frontline squadron

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2013

The Tejas has flown an unprecedented 450 test flights this year towards a splashy ceremony in Bangalore scheduled for December 20, where Defence Minister AK Antony will preside over its induction into the Indian Air Force, says Ajai Shukla.

General Bikram Singh likely to be promoted as tri-service chief

General Bikram Singh likely to be promoted as tri-service chief

Rediff.com   4 Dec 2013

Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh to be appointed chairman of chiefs of staff committee in January, Lt Gen Anil Chait to head army, say sources

Generals must unhurriedly prepare a media plan

Generals must unhurriedly prepare a media plan

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2013

The military knows very little about the world of journalism and has no plan in place to learn more, says Ajai Shukla