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There are boundary disputes and then there are outright wars. Hot and cold. Diplomatic and military. This podcast will dissect all that’s mean and subtle about the defence of our...
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There are boundary disputes and then there are outright wars. Hot and cold. Diplomatic and military. This podcast will dissect all that’s mean and subtle about the defence of our nations. A weekly podcast where our host Dev Goswami is joined by India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor, Shiv Aroor, to discuss on defence policy issues.
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Transcribed
14 NOV 2024 · Recent events have put the Indian intelligence establishment under scrutiny, especially after a high-profile incident that raised questions about its effectiveness. An indictment filed by the U.S. Department of Justice on October 18 in a New York court charged Vikash Yadav and his associate Nikhil Gupta with murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering. The target was Khalistani separatist and Sikhs For Justice founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York in June 2023.
Yadav, a former Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer, was reportedly working with India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) at the time. The incident raises concerns about intelligence oversight.
But what does the intelligence world look like? What does the job of an intelligence officer truly entail? How are covert operations planned and executed, and where do the gaps lie? Does the Pannun incident reveal deeper issues within India’s intelligence framework?
In this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor examine the intricacies of India’s intelligence agencies, often portrayed in a “Bollywoodised” lens of intrigue and mystery. They break down terms like “intel,” “actionable intelligence,” and “intelligence failure” and look past the sensationalised images to reveal the real challenges and operational dynamics faced by Indian intelligence.
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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi
Transcribed
8 NOV 2024 · With a steady decline in active squadrons, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently operating well below its optimal strength of 42 squadrons. Numbers are expected to dip further as older aircraft retire.
In this episode, Shiv and Dev unpack India’s decision to initiate a new global competition for fighter jets to fill a critical gap in the IAF’s strength.
The IAF initially purchased 36 Rafales (far fewer than the original 126 needed); India’s MRFA tender—an acquisition plan for 114 fighter jets—aims to address this need.
But, with the Rafale already in service and extensively customised for Indian requirements, the duo questions the necessity of another costly, lengthy competition. Why repeat the process when the Rafale was chosen a decade ago? Yes, we do require more aircraft, but do we need another contest? Is political wrangling slowing down India’s defence readiness?
What’s driving this return to a complex competition, and can India afford further delays in bolstering its aerial capabilities?
They propose a straightforward contest between the Rafale and Boeing’s F-15, a newer contender, to streamline the acquisition and focus on India’s urgent defence needs.
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Read Lockheed Martin's F-21: For India. From India.
Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi
Transcribed
25 OCT 2024 · India and China have agreed to resume military patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, marking a step toward disengagement, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia for the BRICS Summit. PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first formal discussion since the 2020 border clashes, signalling renewed dialogue after years of military buildup on both sides.
In the latest In Our Defence podcast, host Dev Goswami and defence analyst Shiv Aroor break down this diplomatic shift. Does this signal an end to the four-year standoff, or could it be a temporary lull? How significant is the timing, and can these talks lead to tangible changes on the ground? Is this really a 'breakthrough' moment for India? While Modi and Xi’s recent talks may signal diplomatic progress, the hosts remain sceptical, questioning whether China’s intentions are ‘trustworthy’. They explore why India focuses less on trust and more on strategic caution, with each move on the LAC grounded in military readiness rather than expectations of goodwill.
The real test, the hosts suggest, lies in the details of implementation. Will there be clear timelines and phased steps, or will the process remain slow and complex? And what could a cautious, phased approach mean for long-term peace between the two countries? The hosts weigh in on what this could mean for the future of relations between the two nations.
Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi
Transcribed
17 OCT 2024 · Can you picture a ship that can stay hidden under water for months on end, manoeuvre sharply and speedily, and surface at just at the right time, literally out of the blue, to wreak havoc on the enemy?
That's a nuclear-powered attack submarine, or SSN, for you. Nuclear strategist Rear Admiral Raja Menon (retired) once called these submarines "the ultimate arbiter of sea power".
But what it is about these submarines that makes them so lethal? Dev Goswami and Shiv Aroor take a deep dive on this and much more on the latest episode of In Our Defence.
The Cabinet Committee on Security recently gave the go-ahead to develop and build two of these ‘sharks’ under a project that has been long pending.
On this episode, Dev and Shiv take a look at the super capabilities of nuclear-powered attack submarines, why the Indian Navy desperately needs them, and edge that the two now under-development sharks will give once they are in service.
Crucially, the two also discuss why the project to build these submarines was hanging fire for so long and delve on the opportunities that were lost as a result.
This is and more on this insightful new episode. Tune in!
Produced & Mixed By: Kapil Dev Singh
Transcribed
10 OCT 2024 · Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has announced that flight testing for India’s ‘Loyal Wingman’ drone will begin by 2024. Part of HAL’s Combat Air Teaming System, this indigenous drone will accompany manned IAF fighter jets, offering a new dimension in air combat by working alongside or behind fighters to protect and support them. It can be launched from aircraft like the C-130 or Su-30 MKI and controlled via a secure data link.
The CATS Warrior first unveiled in 2021, is a twin-engined unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed for aerial and ground attacks. HAL has teamed up with private sector players to develop this cutting-edge technology. But what exactly is a ‘loyal wingman’ drone? And how does it revolutionise the concept of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) in modern warfare?
In other news, France started developing an air-combat drone that will serve as an unmanned wingman for the country’s Rafale fighter. This is part of a contract with Dassault Aviation to start work on an upgrade package for the aircraft.
Countries like the U.S., Australia, Russia, and China are also racing to perfect this tech, which could shift pilots from direct combat roles to more strategic oversight as UAVs handle dangerous missions. Can India make its mark in this high-tech space?
In this episode, Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor delve into the global race for ‘loyal wingman’ drones. They explore the progress made by nations like France, which has just launched its wingman project for Rafale fighters, and discuss how the integration of unmanned systems like Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat could redefine future air combat.
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Produced by Anna Priydarshini
Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi
Transcribed
4 OCT 2024 · Iran fired more than 180 ballistic missiles, including its hypersonic medium-range Fattah-2, in a major offensive aimed at overwhelming Israel’s air defences. The strikes hit key military targets such as the Nevatim and Tel Nof airbases, home to Israel’s F-35 fighter jets.
In this episode of In Our Defence, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor unpack Iran’s recent missile offensive on Israel and how the Fattah-2, used for the first time, targeted Israel’s Arrow defence system, designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles. Iranian officials claim that 90% of their missiles successfully hit their targets, although Israel and the U.S. reported intercepting most of the projectiles.
So, what makes hypersonic ballistic missiles so formidable? How do they differ from traditional missiles, and what technologies allow them to bypass even the most sophisticated defence systems? How prepared is the world for the era of hypersonic missile warfare?
But this attack raises deeper questions about Iran’s military capabilities. While Iranian officials touted the success of their missiles, critics argue that Iran may exaggerate its technological prowess. Is Iran truly at the cutting edge of hypersonic technology, or is there more to the story?
We also explore the broader implications of hypersonic missile technology. Where does India fare in all of this? What’s India’s ballistic missile defence system?
With superpowers like the U.S., China, and Russia advancing their hypersonic weapons programs, this new arms race is unfolding without the regulatory oversight that controlled nuclear arms during the Cold War. What does this mean for global security? Can existing defence systems, like Israel’s Iron Dome and Arrow, adapt to meet this emerging threat?
Finally, we consider the nuclear dimension. If an incoming missile is suspected to be nuclear, who makes the decision to intercept it? And what are the strategic considerations behind such a critical move?
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Produced by Anna Priydarshini
Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi
Transcribed
26 SEP 2024 · Recently, an MQ-9B Predator drone leased to the Indian Navy by the US crashed into the sea off the Chennai coast due to a failure of its power generators and onboard batteries.
It was leased from the American firm General Atomics and suffered a power generator and battery failure, leading to a "controlled ditching" into the sea off the Chennai coast.
What does "ditched in a controlled manner" mean, and is this crash a concern for India?
Besides, the US has also approved the sale of 31 MQ-9 B-armed drones to India at an estimated cost of USD 3.99 billion. The proposed mega drone deal was announced during PM Modi's state visit to the US in June 2023.
Under the deal, India will get 31 High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs, of which the Navy will get 15 SeaGuardian drones, while the Army and the Indian Air Force will get eight each of the land version – SkyGuardian.
But why did the deal take so long to finalise despite close diplomatic ties? Is leasing military equipment a viable long-term strategy for India?
How can India improve centralised drone operations across its armed services?
Host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor unpack these, also discussing the crash in the context of India’s growing defence relationship with the U.S., particularly agreements like COMCASA, which facilitate secure communication and intelligence sharing.
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Produced by Anna Priydarshini
Sound mix by Kapil Dev Singh
Transcribed
20 SEP 2024 · On September 17, hundreds of pagers and walkie-talkies exploded simultaneously across Lebanon and parts of Syria, killing dozens and injuring hundreds. Was this another meticulously planned Mossad operation, echoing their history of high-stakes missions?
In the 40th episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor delve into these recent coordinated explosions, dissecting how such an elaborate attack could have been planned and executed. What multiple failures in Hezbollah's security led to this devastating outcome?
They also explore the broader implications: How does this operation fit into Israel's regional strategy? What lessons can India draw about protecting its communication infrastructure as tensions escalate? The event is a sobering reminder of India's vulnerabilities tied to foreign-made devices, particularly from China, highlighting the urgent need for localised production.
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Produced by Anna Priydarshini
Sound mix by Nitin Rawat
Transcribed
12 SEP 2024 · The Indian Navy is set to finalise the procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets by the end of this financial year. Indian Navy plans to equip the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant with these planes and develop a vital capability for the force on the maritime front.
Host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor explore the evolution of naval fighter jets in the Indian Navy—a subject that might seem niche but is crucial to India’s defence.
The hosts walk through the history of India's naval aviation, starting with the acquisition of the British aircraft carrier HMS Hercules, later INS Vikrant, and the arrival of Seahawk fighter jets in 1960. Why did India switch from British to Russian aircraft, with the MiG-29K replacing the Harriers?
As they discuss India’s push for self-reliance, they explore the challenges of transitioning the Light Combat Aircraft to a naval variant and why the Navy prefers twin-engine fighters. They highlight future projects like the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter, noting its promise and challenges. How will India balance its ambitions for indigenous fighters with its current defence needs?
The episode also touches on the increasing role of drones in naval operations, hinting at a future where combat drones could fly from aircraft carriers.
What does the future hold for India's naval aviation?
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Produced by Anna Priydarshini
Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi
Transcribed
5 SEP 2024 · In this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor explore the future of India's armoured capabilities in light of the government's recent approval of ₹1,44,716 crore for capital acquisitions. This includes modernising the Indian Army's tank fleet through the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) program.
The new tank FRCV aims to replace around 2,500 four-decade-old Soviet-origin T-72 tanks first acquired in 1982.
Why is the FRCV project necessary, and how does it address the shortcomings of previous tank modernisation efforts, such as the Arjun project? What is the current status of India's tank fleet, and how do the ageing T-72s and T-90s fit into the Army's broader defence strategy?
The Arjun tank project—marked by controversy and unmet expectations between the Army and DRDO—is analysed, with the hosts reflecting on its failures. The two explain this by giving an overview of tank evolution, from their roles in World Wars I and II to their enduring importance in modern warfare, particularly for India's territorial defence. The FRCV is seen as a corrective step, aiming to build a modern, modular, and agile tank capable of meeting diverse battlefield needs while fully indigenised.
But, some critics believe that the FCRV program seems like an Arjun 2.0. Is it?
Also, don’t miss the discussion on Sunil Shetty’s iconic tank-lifting scene in the movie Border—could it really happen?
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Produced by Anna Priydarshini
Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi
There are boundary disputes and then there are outright wars. Hot and cold. Diplomatic and military. This podcast will dissect all that’s mean and subtle about the defence of our...
show more
There are boundary disputes and then there are outright wars. Hot and cold. Diplomatic and military. This podcast will dissect all that’s mean and subtle about the defence of our nations. A weekly podcast where our host Dev Goswami is joined by India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor, Shiv Aroor, to discuss on defence policy issues.
show less
Information
| Author | India Today Podcast |
| Organization | Aaj Tak (India) |
| Categories | Government |
| Website | podcasts.indiatoday.in |
| sanjay.nagpal@aajtak.com |
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