BUSINESS
Space Tech | ISRO is on the path to become a space superpower
India’s space mission is quickly adapting to the changing times: with its speciality being low-cost missions, now it is collaborating with startups, and turning to reusable launch vehicles
BUSINESS
Indian Defence’s drone policy is on the right track
Offensive unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms need to be complemented by a robust anti-drone capability too
POLITICS
Defence | INS Vikrant is a force multiplier
Having more carrier battle groups is predicated on New Delhi’s strategic calculus where the expansionist plans of the People's Liberation Army Navy of China are crucial imperatives
ECONOMY
Is Agnipath the magic bullet for the armed forces?
In its hurry to address the growing pension outgo problem, has the Ministry of Defence war-gamed Agnipath adequately?
BUSINESS
Shukrayaan 1 will give a big boost to India’s aerospace ecosystem
ISRO has already opened its doors to private players to participate actively in the space sector and a mega project like Shukrayaan 1 would be an ideal platform to commercialise ground operations such as mission support and satellite broadband operations
INDIA
OROP | Supreme Court order helps hit the pause button on a thorny issue
Of the many concerns surrounding the OROP debate, one of the most important relates to its impact on India’s defence budget. More than 30 percent of the 2020-21 budget was gobbled up by pension entitlements — a growth rate which may become unsustainable for the government in the near future
WORLD
Ukraine Crisis | What next? Will there be a war? How does it impact India?
The longer the chances of a full-blown war loom on the horizon, the harder it will be for India to sit on the fence
TRENDS
College campuses are spearheading India’s ‘techade’
Acknowledging the potential of institutes such as the IITs as amazing test-beds for innovation and entrepreneurship, and the promise they hold for employment generation and social impact, the government is helping them with policy tweaks, guidance, and funding
BUSINESS
2022 is a promising year for India’s defence capabilities
Despite the pandemic, 2022 promises to be a watershed year for India’s goal of building a domestic military industrial complex — and becoming a global defence manufacturing hub
INDIA
Gen Bipin Rawat: The Last Post
Gen Rawat rose from the ranks in the finest traditions of the armed forces and had an exceptional service record.
POLITICS
How S-400 is a game changer for India's ballistic defence
New Delhi will first have to stave off US attempts to stall the $5.5 billion Indo-Russian S-400 deal as Washington is reportedly waving the CAATSA in India’s face. New Delhi should not bow to US pressure
POLITICS
Defence | Agni V is a real game changer in the regional strategic scenario
The DRDO must take the Agni programme to the logical next step: the development of a full-fledged ICBM with a range of 8,000 kilometres or more
BUSINESS
The forecast for India becoming a global aerospace hub is bright
Besides creating thousands of jobs, the Airbus-Tata joint venture will encourage micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to make aircraft parts and spares, helping develop a robust aerospace ecosystem in the subcontinent
BUSINESS
Drones come of age in India
The PLI scheme reflects the faith of the government in India’s budding drone industry whose annual sales turnover is expected to register a seven-fold growth in the next couple of years
BUSINESS
India’s news drone policy cuts red tape and opens the skies
The Drone Rules 2021 spell good news for the remotely piloted aircraft industry in India which will be enthused to realise its potential and claim a slice of the global drone market, expected to top $24 billion by 2022
POLITICS
Jammu Drone Attack | UAVs are force multipliers in future battlefields
With the United States pulling out from Afghanistan, extremists aligned with the Taliban may be trying out new weapon systems in the subcontinent. If so, this is a wake-up call for India’s policymakers
POLITICS
Defence | How P-75Is will boost the Indian Navy’s submarine fleet
It’s hardly reassuring to see Pakistan and China expanding their naval fleets exponentially. Given this, it’s imperative for India to augment its underwater combat arm urgently
WORLD
Space Race | China’s rocket debris throws up disturbing questions
With the Low Earth Orbit fast becoming the focus of commercial and military interests, it is of paramount importance to have stricter laws in place to ensure space-faring nations abide by global norms and best practices in their space activities
BUSINESS
The IAF is best suited to lead India’s theatre commands
The ISRO has so far confined itself to providing imagery data support to the armed forces and, therefore, would need a doctrinal shift away from its wonted ‘civilian’ role to help the Air Defence Command
BUSINESS
New Geospatial Policy | Data sovereignty for civilian and defence domains
At the height of the Kargil War, the United States refused to give GPS data to India which hammered home the importance of having an indigenous GIS independent of data from outside sources
BUSINESS
Strategic Sectors | PSUs should continue to play a pivotal role
The defence reforms set in motion recently will hopefully provide greater synergy between the private sector and the government in line with the ‘Make in India’ initiative
BUSINESS
Tejas deal a big boost for India’s self-reliance and defence preparedness
New Delhi’s decision to opt for an indigenous fighter for the Indian Air Force will make its ‘Make in India’ mantra resonate louder
POLITICS
IAF’s key role in conflict prevention and resolution
There is an opportunity in every crisis and the border tensions with China along the LAC are no different. India’s policymakers have seized the opportunity by deciding to augment the Indian Air Force’s conventional air power capabilities
BUSINESS
Offensive Defence | India’s robust policy against adversaries
The SFF commandos are specially trained in reconnaissance, direct action, unconventional warfare and covert operations, and excel in guerrilla tactics and mountain warfare. High altitude operations especially come naturally to them
