Military

Military training for youth, though patriotic in intent, lacks clear objectives and evidence, risks militarising society, burdens youth, diverts resources, and undermines democratic, philosophical, and developmental principles of good citizenship

Spy cockroaches and AI robots: Germany plots the future of warfare

Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government views AI and start-up technology as key to its defence plans

Copper: A strategic material for modern warfare

Copper is crucial to India’s defence manufacturing, enabling advanced systems in vehicles like the CCIV, supporting communication, radar, and weapon technologies for modern combat effectiveness

Data Story: Where India stands in global military spending

According to new data released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), global military spending surged in 2024, with India maintaining a steady rise while keeping its defence budget within fiscal limits. Despite spending only a fraction of China’s defence outlay, India remains among the top global military spenders.

America’s messy Afghan withdrawal has left the region awash with arms

When the US hastily withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, it left behind an arsenal estimated to be worth $7 billion in military hardware. The spillover effects are visible in Pakistan and, to a certain extent, in Jammu and Kashmir. Between 2022 and 2024, a series of recoveries, particularly across Jammu’s Doda-Kishtwar-Kathua-Udhampur belt, some featuring night-vision devices, suggests a potential cross-border influx of advanced gear

Europe’s increased defence spending doesn’t cut it. Ukraine needs the US

The US not just provided the largest support to Ukraine among individual countries, its supply of military hardware has no immediate substitute. Moreover, Europe’s stated intent to ramp up military spending will run into the constraint caused by the continent’s relative economic decline. The US is irreplaceable in Ukraine’s war effort

Cobra Gold Military Exercise | South Korea, Singapore Join Thailand and U.S. Forces | N18G

On March 3, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States participated in amphibious drills as part of the annual Cobra Gold military exercise in Thailand. The drills, held on an eastern Thai beach, began with an airstrike and an amphibious landing, focusing on rehearsing battles between defending and attacking forces to capture a beachhead. U.S. Colonel Stuart W. Glenn emphasized the opportunity to learn new techniques, tactics, and procedures, especially in Thailand’s unique environments. The exercise aims to enhance partnerships among participating forces, including the U.S. Marine Rotational Force Southeast Asia, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and forces from South Korea and Singapore. Cobra Gold, launched in 1982, is in its 44th edition this year, with over 8,000 troops from 30 countries involved. The exercise began on February 24 and is set to conclude on March 7, aiming to strengthen military cooperation and improve readiness for amphibious operations.

In a democracy, a military swears loyalty to the nation and flag, not leaders

A purge of US military brass on ideological grounds by the Trump administration foregrounds the fundamental tenet of civil-military equation in a democracy. Civilian oversight along with military loyalty to the nation. In China, military is subordinate to the communist party and not the state, a radically different approach. Trump’s moves suggest an attempt to reorient civil-military relations in the world’s oldest democracy

Israeli warplanes ‘spook’ Hezbollah by flying low over Beirut amid Nasrallah’s mega funeral

Tens of thousands of people gathered on the outskirts of Beirut on Sunday to pay their respects to Hezbollah's slain leader Hassan Nasrallah, nearly five months after he was killed in an Israeli airstrike in a stunning blow to the Iran-backed group. The killing of Nasrallah, who led the Shi'ite Muslim group through decades of conflict with Israel and oversaw its transformation into a military force with regional sway, was one of the opening salvos in an Israeli escalation that badly weakened Hezbollah. Carrying pictures of Nasrallah and Hezbollah flags, supporters gathered early on Sunday for a mass funeral for Nasrallah and other slain leaders of the group at a stadium in the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut.

South Korean man binge eats, becomes obese to avoid mandatory military service

In June last year, the man, weighing 102 kg with a body mass index classified as obese, was deemed unfit for active duty—six years after being ruled eligible for service in an earlier medical examination.

Militant hideout busted in J&K's Kunzer; arms, ammunition recovered

After the seizure of the materials under the relevant provisions of law, the hideout was destroyed in-situ, a spokesperson said.

China's Xi urges missile troops to boost deterrence, combat capabilities

During the inspection Xi also urged the strategic missile troops to "resolutely fulfil the tasks entrusted by the Party and the people," state news agency Xinhua said.

On this day, September 21 - Know what happened today in history

September 21 has marked significant events throughout history. From tragic attacks to notable births, this day holds a diverse legacy. Let’s explore some key happenings that have shaped our world.

US announces $125 million military aid package for Ukraine

The latest package comes as Ukraine has launched its largest ground offensive on Russian soil since the war began in February 2022.

SEVENTEEN's Jeonghan's sasaeng LEAKS his military enlistment plans during RIGHT HERE World Tour

Pledis Entertainment recently shared details of SEVENTEEN’s highly anticipated world tour, set to kick off on October 12 and 13, 2024, at the Goyang Stadium in Korea. The US leg of the tour is scheduled to begin on October 22, 2024, with performances running through November, culminating in Los Angeles.

Narendra Modi can’t build India’s military this way

The government is spending too little, and relying too much on inefficient state-owned companies, to produce a world-class fighting force

China’s military-industrial complex has a quality problem

From Pakistan to Bangladesh, clients are disappointed. It’s trailing the US and France, but it’s premature to write off China 

Create joint culture: CDS Gen Chauhan to armed forces as govt looks at rolling out theatre commands

In an address at an event, the Chief of Defence Staff Chief also called upon the three services to create a joint culture as they move towards forming "joint operational structures". He said the theatre commands will not be an end state but the beginning of the next set of reforms.

Chinese PLA's Naval Submarine Academy Permits International Media Members To Visit

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) naval submarine academy hosted a visit from international media members on Sunday, just ahead of the West Pacific Naval Symposium. While access was limited and did not include observing actual classes or marine training, it provided a rare opportunity for Western media to visit such a sensitive military institution. Watch!

Don’t fear AI in war, fear autonomous weapons

The existential question is not about AI as much as the degree of autonomy granted to weapons. Algorithms may make good decisions and minimise death. But the code may also fail or, more diabolically, be programmed to maximise suffering. Automation will accelerate military decisions so much that humans may have no time to evaluate a situation, and in the extreme stress either make fatal mistakes or surrender to the algorithm

US, UK, French military shoot down Houthi drones after attack on bulk carrier, destroyers

US, French, and British forces downed numerous drones in the Red Sea after Houthis targeted ships, according to a US military statement.

India, Saudi Arabia joint military exercise to begin from January 29-February 10

The exercise aims to enhance synergy, interoperability and jointmanship by learning and sharing best practices between the Armies of both nations.

India in 2023 focused on acquiring new military platforms, weaponry to boost combat prowess

India also went on an overdrive in expanding its military engagement with like-minded countries in its neighbourhood and beyond in the face of China's relentless attempts to become a regional hegemon and establish its primacy in South Asia.

Japan's Cabinet OKs record $56 billion defense budget for 2024 to accelerate strike capability

The 7.95 trillion-yen ($56 billion) budget plan for the 2024 fiscal year beginning March marks the second year of a five-year military buildup program under a new security strategy Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government adopted a year ago.

New York Times report says Israel knew about Hamas attack over a year in advance

Adding to public outrage over the military’s apparent negligence, the Israeli media has reported that military officials dismissed warnings from female border spotters who warned that they were witnessing Hamas’ preparations for the attack.