Strategic Environment All
20180406
From strategic partnership to transactional relationship

India's new policy to diversify its sources of defence procurement, especially its reliance on Western weapons platforms despite their greater cost, had not been received well in Russia and the relationship had tended to deteriorate into a transactional rather than a strategic one. Russian leaders...

Defence & Security Alert | Apr 6, 2018
20171205
Xi is king

On the same pedestal as Mao, Xi Jinping has once again asserted at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China that he is Chinas undisputed leader, writes BRIG GURMEET KANWAL. He holds three posts - President of China, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and the Chairman...

Geopolitics | Dec 5, 2017
20170805
Helming the MoD

Several pragmatic amendments were approved by the Defence Minister and DPP 2016 was issued in early-April 2016.Weapons and equipment purchase projects worth over Rs 1,50,000 crore have been accorded 'acceptance of necessity by the Defence Acquisition Council chaired by the Defence Minister since he...

VAYU | Aug 5, 2017
20170805
Critical Hollowness

Several pragmatic amendments were approved by Manohar Parrikar, then defence minister, in the new Defence Procurement Procedure to streamline procurement procedures and encourage participation of the private sector in defence manufacture. Unless the remaining deficiencies in weapons, ammunition and...

VAYU | Aug 5, 2017
20170405
For peace sake

India's nuclear force structure is based on a triad of land, sea, and air based forces: Prithvi-2 SRBMs and Agni-1 to 4+ IRBMs manned by the Missile Groups of the Indian Army; nuclear glide bombs under-slung on Mirage 2000 and SU-30 MKI fighter-bomber aircraft of the Indian Air Force; and, in due...

Force | Apr 5, 2017
20170405
Challenges aplenty for the new defence minister

Parliaments Standing Committee on Defence and the armed forces have repeatedly recommended that it should be raised progressively to 3.0 per cent of the GDP if India is to build the defence capabilities that it needs to meet future threats and challenges and discharge its growing responsibilities as...

Geopolitics | Apr 5, 2017
20170105
Unpredicatbility the flavour of the times

"India's response to individual incidents of terrorism had so far been predictable - calling Pakistan lame and avoiding any reaction overtly. Now, by launching surgical strikes and taking other pro-active actions, India has introduced an element of unpredictability. Pakistan can no longer be sure...

Defence & Security Alert | Jan 5, 2017
20160804
Down memory lane: Playing the sport of kings on target, on time, everytime

When the last target had been effectively engaged, the CO smugly asked the GOC whether he would like to indicate a target. One of the six targets warranted a small 100 metres correction to move the MPI of the regiment closer to the centre of the target.

The Artillery Journal | Aug 4, 2016
20160105
Veterans – A resource to reduce officers’ shortage

As the shortage of officers is primarily in the ranks of Captain and Major, the solution apparently lies in a revamped short-service entry scheme which offers lateral induction into civilian Jobs after five to eight years of service in the Army. It would do the budding central services officers a...

Samaan | Jan 5, 2016
20151017
नहीं माना पीछे हटने का मौखिक आदेश
Defence Monitor | Oct 17, 2015
20150804
India-Russia defence cooperation: Strategic partnership to transactional relationship

India's acquisition of weapons and defence equipment from Russia has been the most enduring part of the India-Russia strategic partnership. Russia offered strategic technologies to India when India was being subjected to technology denial regimes.

CLAWS FOCUS | Aug 4, 2015
20140804
Post-2014 instability in Afghanistan: Impact and role of regional players

The NATO-ISAF withdrawal is likely to leave a security deficit in Afghanistan, which will further add to regional instability in a region that has become known as the epicentre of fundamentalist terrorism. The willingness of regional actors to play a positive role in stabilising Afghanistan, rather...

CLAWS Scholar Warrior | Aug 4, 2014
20130804
Pakistan-Afghan relations: Challenging prospects

The foremost challenge that Afghanistan faces from Pakistan is that of trans-Durand Line hit-and-run strike operations from safe havens in Pakistan by groups like the Haqqani Network against targets in Afghanistan. "The government of Afghanistan and the people of Afghanistan have endeavoured to...

CLAWS Scholar Warrior | Aug 4, 2013
20121028
Give the Stressed jawan a break and a buddy

The central police and paramilitary forces, now called central armed police forces (CAPFs), have been increasingly employed for internal security duties over the last ten years, particularly for counterinsurgency operations in areas affected by left […]

The Times of India | Oct 28, 2012
20121028
Give the stressed jawan a break and a buddy

The central police and paramilitary forces, now called central armed police forces (CAPFs), have been increasingly employed for internal security duties over the last ten years, particularly for counterinsurgency operations in areas affected by left […]

The Times of India | Oct 28, 2012
20111120
Ayo Gorkhali! The war cry that has done us proud

A week ago, 2/5 GR (FF)— the Second Battalion of the Fifth ‘Gorkha Rifles, frontier Force popularly known as the VC paltan Celebrated its 125th anniversary. The famous battalion is called VC paltan because of […]

The Times of India | Nov 20, 2011
20110804
Exit Strategy in Afganistan: US plan will lead to further instability

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, still a perceptive observer of the emerging strategic environment, has written that four conditions must be met to make the exit strategy viable: "A cease-fire; withdrawal of all or most American and allied forces: the creation of a coalition government or...

The Artillery Journal | Aug 4, 2011
20060624
Shoot before talking

Even if the suspicion is not too strong and the links of terrorists with the organisation across the border have been established only tenuously, to begin with, retaliation must be swift and accurately targeted to deliver the message that India has shown enough restraint and that from now onwards,...

Sahara Time | Jun 24, 2006
20060116
A peace pact waiting to be made

As the foreign secretaries from India and Pakistan try this week to sustain the peace process amidst growing mutual suspicion, the Siachen question offers one potential area where recent progress could be consolidated. When demilitarisation at Siachen is finally completed, it will act as a...

Jan 16, 2006
20050801
Americas summer of discontent

Military officials in the Pentagon are known to be of the view that Iraq’s political and military leaders are unlikely to be ready to lead the counter-insurgency effort till the summer of 2006.

The Indian Express | Aug 1, 2005
20050716
Uncle Sam’s bear hug

Since the September 11 attacks in New York, India has acted decisively to support America's war on terrorism, even though the US has still not fully acknowledged that India too faces a similar threat from Islamist fundamentalist terrorism. Contrary to the US belief during the Cold War that India was...

The Tribune | Jul 16, 2005
20050101
American strategy, Pakistani need

Besides the need to continue to retain Pakistan's support in the hunt for al-Qaida and Taliban terrorists, the US is acutely aware of the fragility of the Musharraf regime in the face of Islamist hardliners in the army, in particular, and the country, at large. The US is planning to cooperate with...

Hard News | Jan 1, 2005
20041206
Facelift for the UN

The panel has emphasised that in the age of globalisation, poverty, deprivation and mass disease are as great threats to states as terrorism and WMD. Development and human security are frontline issues and the panel has laid stress on these. The panel has reaffirmed the right of states to defend...

TOI | Dec 6, 2004
20040804
Remembering the Kargil firestorm: Homage to a great victory

The Indian artillery fired over 2,50,000 shells, bombs and rockets during the Kargil conflict. Three valiant officers and 34 brave soldiers of the Regiment of Artillery laid down their lives during the Kargil conflict in the true spirit of "Izzat O Iqbal" The COAS honoured three units of the...

The Artillery Journal | Aug 4, 2004
20040615
Not merely an oil shock

The World Bank has estimated that the energy demand in India will grow at 5.3 per cent up to 2010 and at 10 per cent after that. More than 70 per cent of India's oil, that has a share of about 36 per cent in India's energy pie, is now imported.

The Tribune | Jun 15, 2004
20040523
Seize the moment

There is little likelihood of quick results on Kashmir as India sees the present dialogue process as a means of maintaining the status quo and Pakistan perceives it as a means to change the status quo in its favour. India should make a case against capping short-range ballistic missiles, such as...

The Week | May 23, 2004
20040323
Listen, the general is speaking

Responding to questions in an interview that was telecast live during the India Today Conclave, the general stated quite unequivocally that no leader in Pakistan could afford to ignore the centrality of Kashmir as a dispute between India and Pakistan. Do we now know where we stand, or did we always...

The Indian Express | Mar 23, 2004
20040220
Chief of Defence Staff a necessity

Well into the first decade of the 21st century and almost six years after nuclear India is still without a Chief of Defence Staff. While the tri-service Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff was formed, it is still headed by a three-star officer who reports to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff...

The Tribune | Feb 20, 2004
20040101
Last man standing

Inducted into the theatre of operations well before the actual war began, the US Army's under-cover Delta Force, Green Berets and Rangers; the Navy's SEALS, and a handful of Air Force and Marine Corps units, together with British and Australian SF units, played a bigger role in Iraq than in any...

Force | Jan 1, 2004
20040101
Nuke proof

Though nuclear weapons are not weapons of fighting a war, the capability and the readiness of the armed forces to absorb these weapons and adapt themselves to the requirements of the nuclear age determine the size of a nation's nuclear force structure at any given point of time. The chances of...

Newsray feature | Jan 1, 2004
20020917
Geo Political Instability

Political considerations must not be allowed to override international security concerns; and militarised foreign policy should not dictate political discourse. To ensure security and stability, today all nations need to exhibit immense political will, ingenuity and imaginations while dealing with...

The Statesman | Sep 17, 2002
20020608
Strategic Crossroads

"Pakistan's army has been actively aiding and abetting infiltration along the LoC. Its ISl-controlled jehad factories have been working overtime to produce fedayeen suicide squads. The ruthless Fedayeen mercenaries of the Al Qaeda, the Taliban, the Lashkar-e-Taiba and umpteen other such...

The Statesman | Jun 8, 2002
20020516
United Nations-II

Echoing a similar view, former Soviet - President Mikhail Gorbachov called the KOSOVO war "a disgrace to all of us who tried to build a New World Order based on political methods and a strong role for the United Nations Security CouncilInstead, we see Nato itself as supreme arbiter, using military...

The Statesman | May 16, 2002
20020515
United Nations-I

Since most of the conflicts that require UN intervention are in the Third World countries, these developing countries have a major stake in ensuring that the UN peace-keeping apparatus functions smoothly and impartially. The most important task facing the developing countries is to work in a united...

The Statesman | May 15, 2002
20020504
Generating Asymmetries-II

Because of the high density of air defence weapons in the tactical battle area, air forces the world over are advocating that battlefield air interdiction, that is, the engagement of targets deep' inside enemy territory, would provide greater payoffs than close air support missions. The problem of...

The Statesman | May 4, 2002
20020503
Generating Asymmetries-I

The primary agents of firepower will be the guns, mortars, multi-barrel rocket launchers and surface-to-surface missiles of the artillery, the guns and missiles of mechanised forces in close combat with the enemy and the missiles, cannon, rockets and bombs of attack helicopters and fighter ground...

The Statesman | May 3, 2002
20020413
Clash of civilisations

His hypothesis is simple and straightforward: "The fundamental source of conflict in this new world will not be primarily ideological or primarily economic. The great divisions among humankind and the dominating source of conflict will be cultural. Nation-states will remain the most powerful actors...

The Statesman | Apr 13, 2002
20011024
After Taliban – II

The number of Afghan refugees in India already runs into about 50,000 and India can ill afford another major influx. India should not get militarily involved in the conflict as that may inflame public opinion within India as well as earn the wrath of Islamic countries.

The Statesman | Oct 24, 2001
20011023
After Taliban – I

While there may be some merit in this argument, the real reason is that there are few military targets to hit and the widely dispersed Taliban forces cannot be severely confronted without causing major damage to innocent Afghan civilians in whose towns and villages the Taliban take shelter. Although...

The Statesman | Oct 23, 2001
20010911
Guarding nation’s frontiers: Need for Hi-tech aid

Though precision-guided munitions are relatively more costly than standard high-explosive shells, these 'smart' munitions are more effective since only a direct hit from a 'dumb' artillery shell can destroy a bunker.

Daily Excelsior | Sep 11, 2001
20010507
Pipeline politics

The 2,200 km overland pipeline from Assaluyeh and Bandar Abbas in Iran, which would pass through Pakistan and link up with the existing HBJ pipeline in Rajasthan, is likely to cost about $3 billion.

The Statesman | May 7, 2001
20010422
Strategic Culture

Since the May 1998 Pokhran-ll nuclear tests and India's declaration of itself as a nuclear armed state, India's strategic culture is being gradually reshaped to a more resurgent and vigorous one and India has at long last launched a quest for strategic autonomy.

The Statesman | Apr 22, 2001
20010210
Cyber Warfare

Regardless of what term is used to describe the war form of the future - besides cyberwars, the other terms in vogue include knowledge warfare, information warfare and command and control warfare - jt is clear that an information and knowledge driven new type of war-form has emerged.

The Statesman | Feb 10, 2001
20000923
Military Service

Compulsory military service for entry into the central services will also result in giving civilian bureaucrats a better understanding of India's defence and security interests and needs and will create a permanent bond of camaraderie and friendship between Civilians and the military. In sum,...

The Statesman | Sep 23, 2000
20000111
Catapult Gunnery

THE INDIAN mountain batteries were the most unusual and colourful military units ever formed in the long history of the British Empire. The long campaigns in the North West Frontier Province in which these batteries […]

Hindustan Times | Jan 11, 2000
20000101
Emerging trends in US policy towards South Asia

India is likely to be viewed as a potential challenge and an area of conflicting interests in the twenty-first century by US policy planners, even though it may never be formally recognized as an emerging threat. India, while welcoming enhanced US interest in South Asia, should simultaneously pursue...

Indian Defence Review | Jan 1, 2000
20000101
Briefcase Nukes : The new nightmare

Among the world's foremost terrorist organizations, the Al-Qaeda is the most determined and most likely to come into possession of a nuclear warheads sooner or later A future nexus between the Al-Qaeda and the intransigent North Koreans cannot be ruled out as both share a pathological hatred for the...

Sahara Time | Jan 1, 2000
19991201
Nothing to Wear

Every time a woman has to go out, she stares mournfully at her open wardrobe, usually fully stacked, and a primordial cry emanates from her lips: “I have nothing to wear”. Usually a man has […]

Hindustan Times | Dec 1, 1999
19991103
Costs of filling gaps

Prior to the Kargil conflict, an infantry brigade, under the Leh infantry division, was responsible for operation in Kargil. The number of posts requiring air-maintenance in Kargil sector will be much lesser than those in Siachen due to the proximity of most posts in Kargil To the Srinagar-Leh NH1A....

The Indian Express | Nov 3, 1999
19991002
Let the army remain apolitical

On all crucial issues, he relies on the collective wisdom of the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, the Army Commanders and his Principal Staff Officers before taking a decision. If the Indian Army has performed its tasks with the singularity of purpose and the professional competence that it has it is...

The Tribune | Oct 2, 1999
19990903
The Sardar’s Hat

IN March 1989, 20 military observers from India joined the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) in Namibia. Of the lot, Chetinder and I were the only Sikhs. From the time we walked into the […]

The Times of India | Sep 3, 1999
19990830
Of brave men and pretty girls

As the battles raged on for the recapture of icy mountain tops from the enemy in Batalik, Kaksar, Dras and Mushkoh Valley sub-sectors of Kargil district, the war cries of a dozen Indian Army regiments […]

Hindustan Times | Aug 30, 1999
19990722
Time for Sharif’s survival script

For Pakistan's survival as a nation and the success of democracy, the civilian rulers have no option but to rein in the army, with the help of the United States if necessary. With his brute majority in the National Assembly, Mian Nawaz Sharif can still rise from the ignominy of defeat and make...

The Indian Express | Jul 22, 1999
19990705
A new world order: An appraisal-II

While the new international economic order is positively shaping the New World Order, it is, at the same time, conforming to the New World Order and adapting to it. In Major General Banerjee's words, "It created the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The system of fixed exchange rates...

Strategic Analysis | Jul 5, 1999
19990623
Not by lives alone

The Army's heroic effort to recapture high-altitude mountain ridges from Pakistan-sponsored intruders in the Batalik, Kaksar and Dras areas of Kargil has highlighted the need for early acquisition and deployment of sophisticated surveillance and early warning devices and precision strike munitions...

The Indian Express | Jun 23, 1999
19990430
No old hat, this!

In The spring of 1989, 20 military observers from India joined the United Nations. Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) in Namibia. Of the lot, Chetinder and I were the only Sikh officers. From the time we […]

Hindustan Times | Apr 30, 1999
19990205
China’s long march to world power status: Strategic challenge for India

While China is likely to continue Its present stance of improving relations with India as a period of "Peace and tranquility" will enable China to consolidate both economically and militarily, it is unlikely to countenance India's aspirations to become a major regional power in the Asia-Pacific...

Strategic Analysis | Feb 5, 1999
19980924
The three musketeers

In the early 1970s, as the saying went, subalterns were meant to be seen and not heard and, when seen, they were expected to be seen training hard with their troops. During our regiment’s annual […]

Hindustan Times | Sep 24, 1998
19980702
Herbie on a UN Mission

On our UN mission in Namibia, military observers had precious little to do after the first three months as the implementation of UN Resolution 435 proceeded with clockwork precision and without the usual hassles which […]

Hindustan Times | Jul 2, 1998
19980420
Happy Hour

UNITED NATIONS (UN) peace-keeping missions bring together a large number of army contingents and civilians from various corners of the world. The famous “Blue Berets”, respected the world over as harbingers of peace, and honoured […]

Hindustan Times | Apr 20, 1998
19970319
For Compulsory army service

In recent months a great deal of media attention has been focused on the shortage of approximately 12,00 officers in the Indian Army and the deleterious effects of this problem on the Army’s war-fighting capability […]

The Observer | Mar 19, 1997
19900105
Free, Fair and Peaceful

They came from all over the Namibian people, young and old, educated and illiterate, rich and poor, of all colours and tithes and many religions, drove in cars, rode buses Or bakkies, flew in by […]

UNTAG Journal | Jan 5, 1990
19890901
UNTAG in Namibia : An Overview

1 April 1989 was a red-letter day in Namibia’s strife-tom and troubled recent history. On that day the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) commenced its operations in the country to assist its transition freedom […]

UNTAG Journal | Sep 1, 1989
19841105
The ARC of Crisis: Geo-Strategic Aspects of West Asia

Today, more than at any other time in modern history, West Asia in turmoil is a barometer of the world political climate. Developments in the West Asian countries and the state of relations among them, […]

Nov 5, 1984
19841101
CATAPULTING TO FAME

The Indian Mountain Batteries were the most unusual and colourful military units ever formed in the long history of the British empire. Their campaigns in the North-West Frontier Province, reminiscent of Kipling’s Gunga Din, were […]

The Times of India | Nov 1, 1984
19791201
They did us Proud

November 1979. The sun is gentle and pleasant. It is the pursuit of leisure, for a change, that engages the attention of the whole town as the School of Artillery prepares to host the 13th […]

The Artillery Journal | Dec 1, 1979