Search found 140 matches

by rocky
01 Nov 2008 02:21
Forum: Military Issues & History Forum
Topic: How to join the Armed Forces? - Recruitment Thread
Replies: 303
Views: 70228

Re: How to join the Armed Forces? - Recruitment Thread

Sonam, welcome to BRF. Although I don't know much about your deceased brother other than his valiant sacrifice for the country, I do remember your father's exemplary dedication and service to the country. I follow his writings and own each and every piece of literature that has flowed from your fath...
by rocky
30 Oct 2008 05:08
Forum: Mil-Tech Archive
Topic: Armoured Vehicles Discussion Thread
Replies: 398
Views: 258148

Re: Artillery and Armor thread

Here's one of the latest photos of the Canadian Army Leopard-2A6M in Afghanistan: http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/_photos/orig/IS2008-9164.jpg The cloth-like tarp covering the entire tank - does anybody know the functions? Is it just for camouflage or does it help in reducing signature, like the Barrac...
by rocky
11 Oct 2008 18:34
Forum: Strategy, Politics & International Relations Forum
Topic: Geopolitical thread
Replies: 3955
Views: 582512

Re: Geopolitical thread - 15

Canada's Parliamentary Budget Officer released a report on the 9th of October on the war costs in Afghanistan. Apparently, all three authors are desis!

http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/PBO-DPB/Re ... Language=E
by rocky
11 Oct 2008 18:33
Forum: Strategy, Politics & International Relations Forum
Topic: Afghanistan News & Discussion
Replies: 3997
Views: 592831

Re: Afghanistan News & Discussion: Part IV

Canada's Parliamentary Budget Officer released a report on the 9th of October on the war costs in Afghanistan. Apparently, all three authors are desis!

http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/PBO-DPB/Re ... Language=E
by rocky
06 Sep 2008 22:03
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: India nuclear news and discussion
Replies: 2908
Views: 464450

Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

JEM is right. We lost West Bengal to the idiots about 150 years ago. Need to show them the capitalist path to realize the prosperity the rest of India is witnessing. The remaining NE states will follow West Bengal
by rocky
06 Sep 2008 19:58
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: India nuclear news and discussion
Replies: 2908
Views: 464450

Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 6 sep 2008

from this website http://www.hinduonnet.com/holnus/000200809061969.htm During the entire process, "India was obliged to respect countries like Austria, New Zealand and Ireland as nuclear suppliers. What kind of suppliers are they God only knows," he said sarcastically. They are white &quo...
by rocky
05 Sep 2008 09:40
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: India nuclear news and discussion - 1 sep 2008
Replies: 679
Views: 130549

Re: India nuclear news and discussion - 1 sep 2008

narayanan wrote:What nation would go out and participate in a deal where they EXPECT to get cheated? (I mean, not just contingency, but if the 99.99% expectation is to get cheated?)
Atleast five nations that I can think of off the top of my head.
by rocky
05 Sep 2008 04:16
Forum: Trash Can Archive
Topic: Indian Missile Technology Discussion
Replies: 518
Views: 77542

Re: Indian Missile Technology Discussion - 27 March 2008

Missile Defence shield to be tested in November There were also plans to enter the flight trial stage late next year for 'A-5,' the long range missile. It will be at a higher range than the Agni III, he said. Refusing to divulge the range of the missile, he said, "It was commensurate in keepin...
by rocky
01 Aug 2008 05:02
Forum: Trash Can Archive
Topic: Book Announcement : Sukhoi Su-30 in Indian Service
Replies: 72
Views: 22310

Re: Book Announcement : Sukhoi Su-30 in Indian Service

Each BRF member needs to be given a free "evaluation copy" of this book. Otherwise Phil and Simon should get banned from BRF for disorderly conduct :D
by rocky
15 Jul 2008 07:21
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Draft IAEA Safeguards Agreement Discussion
Replies: 258
Views: 106588

Re: Draft IAEA Safeguards Agreement Discussion

Suraj, in the nuclear fuels market, long term locked deals are the norm. This is done ostensibly to ensure guarantee of supply, irrespective of cost. There are higher overriding concerns for the parties concerned than the cost. However, the nuclear fuels market (atleast for yellowcake) is quite inde...
by rocky
12 Jul 2008 20:22
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Draft IAEA Safeguards Agreement Discussion
Replies: 258
Views: 106588

Re: Draft IAEA Safeguards Agreement Discussion

Suraj, you are assuming as sustained 7.5% annual rate of growth of GDP over 50 years!!! Isn't that completely unrealistic? Is there any country in the world that has managed to do that? And if yes, can it be so easily extrapolated over to the case of India?
by rocky
11 Jul 2008 08:15
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Draft IAEA Safeguards Agreement Discussion
Replies: 258
Views: 106588

Re: Draft IAEA Safeguards Agreement Discussion

I was thinking along the same lines as Rangudu - what is the exact relevance of the US signing or not signing the 123 agreement with India if the IAEA board signs this draft?
by rocky
02 Jul 2008 05:02
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Indian Nuke News & Discussion Thread-June 18 2008
Replies: 1456
Views: 248606

Re: Indian Nuke News & Discussion Thread-June 18 2008

Neshant, however your categorization of MMS is not matched by his actions elsewhere. Kamal Nath's solitary but extreme hardline position in the Doha round of talks shows that India is not exactly about to roll over and play dead. I'm not for this deal for this deal 1) due to the testing issue 2) the...
by rocky
01 Jul 2008 22:49
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Indian Nuke News & Discussion Thread-June 18 2008
Replies: 1456
Views: 248606

Re: Indian Nuke News & Discussion Thread-June 18 2008

N^3, it doesn't matter what Notwar said or did or didn't, he was an official Indian representative, and his being removed at the behest of a foreign power is the height of sychophancy.
by rocky
30 Jun 2008 10:14
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Indian Nuke News & Discussion Thread-June 18 2008
Replies: 1456
Views: 248606

Re: Indian Nuke News & Discussion Thread-June 18 2008

Would it be erroneous to conclude - that the INC's refusal to give the actual text of the IAEA agreement to the CPIM - confirms that CPIM is the trojan horse? If so, what could be in the text that China isn't likely to know about, given that China is currently a board member of the IAEA?
by rocky
27 Jun 2008 19:50
Forum: Military Issues & History Forum
Topic: Women in Combat
Replies: 578
Views: 133096

Re: Women in Combat - 2

I agree manjgu that it's not as straightforward as it sounds. And I have nothing against women joining any other professions. For one I believe that gender equality is a pile of crap; don't ever expect me to get pregnant. However, the fighter pilot manpower problem is quite acute in the IAF right no...
by rocky
27 Jun 2008 10:57
Forum: Military Issues & History Forum
Topic: Women in Combat
Replies: 578
Views: 133096

Re: Women in Combat - 2

Ray, what do you think about employing women in the airforce as fighter pilot and in combat roles in the navy? Already the airforce employs women in helicopter pilot roles, so I don't see why it cannot be extended to fighter pilot roles. Also, women could serve in the Navy since the conditions on th...
by rocky
27 Jun 2008 07:36
Forum: Military History Archive
Topic: Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw passes away
Replies: 191
Views: 96398

Re: Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw passes away

We are truly orphaned today.
by rocky
23 Jun 2008 06:03
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Indian Nuke News & Discussion Thread-June 18 2008
Replies: 1456
Views: 248606

Re: Indian Nuke News & Discussion Thread-June 18 2008

The UPA-Left nuclear committee is expected to meet in the absence of one of the key negotiators, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, on June 25. The Left leaders wanted Pawar to cancel his cricketing engagement in London and attend the crucial meeting, or the meeting to be deferred till his re...
by rocky
22 Jun 2008 20:42
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Indian Nuke News & Discussion Thread-June 18 2008
Replies: 1456
Views: 248606

Re: Indian Nuke News & Discussion Thread-June 18 2008

Hence one does not need to test, as tests may result in fizzles, and armed forces need not worry if the bum works or not as long as we occasional blurb in news media, we know how to seperate tritium, or enrich U or produce Pu. I knew Spinster would latch onto spin just like Tendulkar took on Warne ...
by rocky
22 Jun 2008 08:50
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Indian Nuke News & Discussion Thread-June 18 2008
Replies: 1456
Views: 248606

Re: Indian Nuke News & Discussion Thread-June 18 2008

Yeah, but it didn't start that way. The very concept of MAD came up because of the massive build up of nuclear weapons for pure warfighting purposes, not just for pure deterrence. Once the proliferation of weapons was done to the appropriate extent desired, the bar was raised to make them "stra...
by rocky
22 Jun 2008 02:15
Forum: History & Current Affairs Archive
Topic: Distorted history- Causes, consequences, remedies
Replies: 4186
Views: 65176

Re: Distorted history- Causes, consequences, remedies - 2

Upinder Singh's writings are certainly interesting, and definitely heartening. It's interesting however, that she is known as Upinder Singh and not Upinder Kaur? Anyways - I have been wanting to get my hands on a good (size no bar) copy of the Bhagvad Gita in English. When I was at the Aga Khan Pala...
by rocky
20 Jun 2008 21:52
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Indian Nuke News & Discussion Thread-June 18 2008
Replies: 1456
Views: 248606

Re: Indian Nuke News & Discussion Thread-June 18 2008

I never properly understood this elections fetish. What is six more months in the government going to bring to these UPA member parties?
by rocky
20 Jun 2008 05:47
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Indian Nuke News & Discussion Thread-June 18 2008
Replies: 1456
Views: 248606

Re: Indian Nuke News & Discussion Thread-June 18 2008

Sridhar, there is another angle to this problem, however. Most former AEC Chairmen have said something to the effect that translates to the fact that they don't oppose the deal. Kalam did the same thing. What is it that this deal brings to India, that we already don't have, or really need badly? Nob...
by rocky
18 Jun 2008 18:14
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Indian Nuclear News & Discussion - May-2008
Replies: 370
Views: 104718

Re: Indian Nuclear News & Discussion - May-2008

That is an often abused argument, R. So far I haven't heard you come out with any argument other than that (unless I missed it). For a person like you to use an argument like "my biggest enemy is not in favor of me blowing down half my house, and hence I believe that is the right thing to do&qu...
by rocky
18 Jun 2008 07:19
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Future Nuclear testing: pros and cons-2
Replies: 307
Views: 136758

Re: Future Nuclear testing: pros and cons-2

Fast burn boost stage may not necessarily be to avoid boost-phase intercept only. It also reduces total flight time.
by rocky
18 Jun 2008 01:17
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Indian Nuclear News & Discussion - May-2008
Replies: 370
Views: 104718

Re: Indian Nuclear News & Discussion - May-2008

Canada is building two new Candu plants in Darlington: http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/444474 Canada's first new reactors in two decades are expected to generate up to 3,200 megawatts of power. That is almost enough to power all homes and businesses in Toronto and nearly doubles Darlingt...
by rocky
13 Jun 2008 06:52
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Indian Nuclear News & Discussion - May-2008
Replies: 370
Views: 104718

Re: Indian Nuclear News & Discussion - May-2008

The responses to questions in the Parliament as assorted together by Sanatanan point that enough uranium is available in the country, but I think this is taking an accountant's view of matters. The answers don't seem to explicitly confirm that this uranium is in stages of processing, or really avail...
by rocky
12 Jun 2008 06:52
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Indian Nuclear News & Discussion - May-2008
Replies: 370
Views: 104718

Re: Indian Nuclear News & Discussion - May-2008

shiv, there's a few reasons why the US does that: 1) NIMBY: Not-In-My-BackYard. Basically, people just don't like the dirt and grime associated with mining and drilling, and are very averse to having it in their backyard. They try their level best so that others cannot see their garbage. Hence you w...
by rocky
09 Jun 2008 08:10
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Future Nuclear testing: pros and cons-2
Replies: 307
Views: 136758

shiv wrote:Sanctions came off India AND Pakistan after 911.
Those sanctions are still on for India.
by rocky
09 Jun 2008 08:03
Forum: Trash Can Archive
Topic: Miscellaneous Pictures - Indian Military
Replies: 3954
Views: 1855466

I don't think there is any utility for a "stealthy helicopter", if any such thing can exist. With those humongous blades, fat chance of avoiding radar, heavily angled body structure notwithstanding. However, I'd like to expand on Rahul's point: the FLIR needs to be below the nose, and not ...
by rocky
06 Jun 2008 15:23
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Future Nuclear Testing: Pros and Cons-1
Replies: 319
Views: 102294

I thought we used "kilometers" in India, and not "miles"?
by rocky
05 Jun 2008 23:56
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Future Nuclear Testing: Pros and Cons-1
Replies: 319
Views: 102294

I have a question.

Assuming that RC's statement that Iyengar was only a chemist and hence cannot correctly asses the yield (please correct me if I'm wrong here). Then what non-chemist explanation exists to justify the RC's statemens?
by rocky
05 Jun 2008 18:17
Forum: BR Nostalgia Archive
Topic: Boot out the old and bring in new blood?
Replies: 164
Views: 61494

Maybe before the admins start thinking about changes at the top, we could have much simpler solutions in place?

Like how about a maximum posting right of 10 posts per day? A lot of heartburn will be reduced if this simple rule is implemented.
by rocky
05 Jun 2008 00:58
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Future Nuclear Testing: Pros and Cons-1
Replies: 319
Views: 102294

India's nukes are certainly more for retaliation than for deterrence. Otherwise there wouldn't be any NFU. Acharya, well said. For those who are contending that India's future growth will be stunted due to testing - they are implying that India's growth is coming at the mercy of it's trading partner...
by rocky
25 May 2008 22:17
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Casting doubt on Indian nuclear weapon designs and yields
Replies: 254
Views: 93576

One needs to understand the real purpose of why all the 1998 tests were conducted so quickly, and in such secrecy. - Were we going to conduct tests and pretend that we never did - doubt it. - Were we testing to ensure that if things don't go as planned, we can claim we never did? doubt it. - Were we...
by rocky
25 May 2008 06:36
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Casting doubt on Indian nuclear weapon designs and yields
Replies: 254
Views: 93576

shiv wrote:We did not do it and the time is over.
Why is the time over?
by rocky
25 May 2008 00:45
Forum: Nuclear Issues Archive
Topic: Casting doubt on Indian nuclear weapon designs and yields
Replies: 254
Views: 93576

Comparing the Nagasaki air drop to a realistic feasible scenario is not appropriate. Nagasaki was done when Japan was already at it's knees; Hiroshima had already been flattened. And moreover, nobody in the world could retaliate to American actions by the time either Hiroshima and Nagasaki happened.
by rocky
24 May 2008 02:54
Forum: Trash Can Archive
Topic: Indian Missile Technology Discussion
Replies: 517
Views: 673877

Basically the extended dial-a-range feature has been tested, so it's nothing new. All they are saying is that in a routine test, the end-user managed the tuning features very well.

Mentioning single digit accuracy is almost like confirming the non-deterrent role anyways.