All stories by Ajai Shukla
Astra missile debuts from a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter
Rediff.com5 May 2014A 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
Rediff.com29 Apr 2014The 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
Rediff.com4 Feb 2014India'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?
Rediff.com4 Feb 2014An 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
Rediff.com25 Jan 2014New 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
Rediff.com15 Jan 2014On 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
Rediff.com20 Dec 2013Defence 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
Rediff.com18 Dec 2013The 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
Rediff.com16 Dec 2013Why 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
Rediff.com9 Dec 2013The 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
Rediff.com4 Dec 2013Army 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
Rediff.com27 Nov 2013The military knows very little about the world of journalism and has no plan in place to learn more, says Ajai Shukla
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