Bharat Rakshak

ManuJ

Rakesh, I agree that there is a disconnect between IN and CDS / MOD. But is that IN's fault? IN's carrier program has been running for over 50 years now. They were operating 2 carriers in the eighties! Having an operational 2-carrier force, one on each coast, is a logical progression of a well thoug...

ManuJ

Let's not badmouth the Navy admirals before looking at things from their point of view. Navy is the one force in India that has done well in long-term planning and indigenous capacity building. Cochin shipyard has done the hard work on IAC-1, created the infrastructure, installed machinery, trained ...

ManuJ

nachiket wrote:I'd go the other way. Why does the IAF need to operate attack helicopters? These are purely CAS assets that can be much better employed by the Army. I would say all Apaches and future LCH acquisitions should be made only for the Army. Move even the 22 that the IAF is acquiring to the army.

+1

ManuJ

Govt announces that 67 acres of land acquired by GOI surrounding Ram Janambhoomi will be transferred to the temple trust, enabling a grand Ram Mandir to be built on roughly 70 acres of land. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/all-round-pressure-but-wont-relent-on-caa-370-pm-modi/articleshow/7...

ManuJ

Good article providing detailed make-up of the DMA and a further explanation (and expansion?) of DMA responsibilities and powers. Bipin Rawat headed-DMA will give preference to domain experts like DRDO and ISRO The present structure of the DMA has the secretary at the helm. Under him, there is a sec...

ManuJ

ramana wrote:Manu, Defence Secy is administration.
CDS is military.
That's the modus vivendi.

Ramana, that is all well, but then why is the Defence Secretary responsible for 'the defence of the country'?
It should be the DM's job, no, based on both military and administrative inputs?

ManuJ

I'm generally happy with the CDS reform, but there are a few issues that they need to address sooner than later. First, the CDS is now the "principal military advisor to the government". And yet, the Defence Secretary is still the "principal defence advisor" and "responsible...

ManuJ

Any updates on LCH?

ManuJ

The only good thing that can be said about the budget was that it was not a disaster and will not hurt the economy. That in itself is a big improvement over last year. I'm disappointed because this was the perfect year to bring in big bang reforms with no major elections in sight except Delhi and fo...

ManuJ

Finally! The Economic Survey recommends repeal of Essential Commodities Act, abolishment of FCI. FYI, FCI's total debt exceeds 2.65 Lakh Crore - more than triple that of Air India! https://theprint.in/economy/economic-survey-recommends-repeal-of-essential-commodities-act-abolishment-of-fci/357627/

ManuJ

Again 110kN is an extremely tall order for a medium class engine needed for the AMCA. Even a heavyweight engine like the AL-31 for our MKI is 123kN. Right now neither the US nor Russia have a medium engine of that power. The closest is the F414 at 100kN. The F404 powering the Tejas is at 80kN. We c...

ManuJ

I'm just gonna leave it here - Gaganyaan. https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-feEFaiZi3d8/Xg8HY0YfEHI/AAAAAAAAUhg/0kV5ICHv2_gxcPMdYPzHU_WUbosYm3IqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/gaganyaan%2Bwhite%2B1fin1.png That's a beautiful rendering, but I would love to see the Indian tiranga imprinted prominently on the façade.

ManuJ

The BRO is also developing an underwater tunnel across the Brahmaputra . The approval-in-principle has been accorded by the Ministry of Defence and the proposal includes two road tubes and one rail tube. This is the first time I'm hearing of this. https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/indu...

ManuJ

My understanding is that the new department, DMA, will be under the Ministry of Defense but not under Department of Defense. Hence this is effectively creating a parallel hierarchy in MoD with two secretaries: one of them being the CDS heading the DMA and the other being the Defense Secretary headin...

ManuJ

these missile tests will probably also be used to test the radars of our brand new 'ocean surveillance ship'

ManuJ

This question is directed primarily at Vidur, although if anyone else can answer, please do. Has the MOD/GoI ever done a study to calculate the difference in real cost to the national exchequer between an indigenous product and a corresponding imported product? What I mean is, say there are two comp...

ManuJ

If GOI is serious about promoting domestic military industry, why can't it offer the services a subsidy for buying swadesi? All products designed and made in India 30% off :) This will satisfy the services' concerns on capex and will give them more bang for the buck. It won't have much of a financia...

ManuJ

LakshmanPST wrote:Apart from the NSA, other members of the panel will be the Cabinet Secretary, the defence secretary and the secretary, expenditure and Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC)

Ah, equal==equal with 3 IAS officers to balance the 3 members of the COSC.

ManuJ

CDS is a good start, but has to be followed up with integration of the MOD and the forces' HQs, with the CDS in charge.
The integrated HQ needs to be manned by personnel from the forces and not by general-purpose bureaucrats.

ManuJ

tsarkar, astute observation. But don't think that's the complete story. IMHO IA is betting that high firepower, advanced technology and rapid mobility will give these brigade+ sized formations enough punching power as older division sized formations, while keeping them lithe and maneuverable. Best o...

ManuJ

I am trying to understand why IAF didn't raze those buildings to the ground - what did they gain by letting that infrastructure survive?
And didn't GOI anticipate the Paki denials and the media frenzy?

ManuJ

Modi needs to clearly state this in one of his speeches - A failed terrorist state like Pakistan can never dream of dictating terms to India. India will choose the terms and play by its own rules. We will decide when and how to end the <punishment>. Till then, Pakis can stay awake every night, shive...

ManuJ

Please bear in mind that reports now talk of a whole complement of PAF attackers, including bombers and air cover fighters. If so, the air cover could have been provided by F-16. However, air cover fighters would not have had to intrude into Indian territory, only the bombers would have done that. I...

ManuJ

One important statement - PAF targeted Indian military installation, although we had targeted terrorist camp.
This opens the door for India to retaliate in kind.

ManuJ

briefing started...

ManuJ

Rather than being despondent, we should be proud that our boys actually engaged the PAF intruders and thwarted their plans. Unlike their PAF counterparts who chickened out on the pretext of darkness! However, how and why the Mig 21 trainer came to the fight is a mystery. I am speculating here, but m...

ManuJ

Found it interesting that M2K were used for the strike, rather than our dedicated DPSA Jaguar.

ManuJ

SaiK wrote:mohit++ great find

Yes, this document even names the camp - "Moaskar training camp in Balakot, PK"

ManuJ

I feel that the Mk2 IAF and Navy versions still have some tweaks to be made before the designs are frozen, and there's scope for the two designs to converge further. Especially w.r.t. to canards and stabilators...

ManuJ

Really heartening news coming out of Aero India. LCA is one of the biggest fighter programs in the world now, in terms of projected numbers and planned developments. Sometimes crazy dreams do come true. I am amazed and even a little apprehensive by the confidence shown by ADA in announcing two very ...

ManuJ

Deans wrote:There isn't a line running continuously from Jammu to Srinagar. Most of the section from Katra to Banihal, is not complete.

Yes I know, but it is complete where it matters, which is in the valley.
We should take advantage of that.

ManuJ

5 army soldiers including a major getting martyred fighting holed-up terrorists, with no element of surprise?
How does that happen?
A bomb attack is a different thing, but this is simply not acceptable.
We really need to re-evaluate our tactics.

ManuJ

The CRPF convoy was transporting troops from Jammu to Srinagar. Why isn't the railway being used for troop transport in the valley (Banihal onward)? Much easier to sanitize and protect, with vastly reduced logistic footprint. And I believe there are already elaborate security measures in place for p...

ManuJ

India's release of terrorists like Maulana Azhar in Kandhar during NDA regime was our biggest strategic defeat in recent times. One that the country is still paying for with the lives of our brave soldiers. That they have been allowed to live and thrive all these years after their release is utterly...

ManuJ

Hindon air base has a (temporary) civil terminal coming up, and could work in the future as a third option for low-cost regional airlines.

ManuJ

Yes, the brigadier rank is not going anywhere, it's becoming non-select.

ManuJ

Finally! Going to see the movie today after multiple postponements. The movie is still running to packed houses in the SFO Bay Area - couldn't get tickets during the weekend for any show. BTW, how come the movie hasn't been made tax free in India? GOI should do everything in its power to ensure maxi...

ManuJ

The new Mig29 squadron for ENC is being created with existing frames, or additional purchases?

ManuJ

Love the layout of the Gorshkov, especially the ample space dedicated to missile systems. Interestingly, Russian navy seems to have abandoned the RBUs to which IN is still persisting with. Also, how come the difference in size between the new IN frigates and destroyers is down to ~1000 tonnes? The f...

ManuJ

We shouldn't get too hung up over the numbers.
The truth is, IAF will induct as many LCAs as HAL can produce in the next 15 years.

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