Search found 584 matches

by ramdas
23 Dec 2022 03:51
Forum: Military Issues & History Forum
Topic: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector
Replies: 5226
Views: 1441746

Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

From what I read the DRDO chief (Dr. Samir Kamat) currently does not hold the position of scientific advisor to RM (Dr. Sateesh Reddy holds that as of now). What the IAS babus are trying to grab from the DRDO chief is the position of secretary-R&D. Hopefully, they fail: a person without an activ...
by ramdas
28 Oct 2021 18:33
Forum: Mil-Tech Archive
Topic: Indian Missiles News & Discussions - 17 Dec 2018
Replies: 5960
Views: 2250125

Re: Indian Missiles News & Discussions - 17 Dec 2018

@Ramana: According to the US Stratcom chief, China is making rapid strides in missile defence as well. So, if India's deterrent is to have a reasonable capability of leaking through that shield (which may be farther ahead than we expect), MIRVs ASAP are a must. Single warhead missiles will not make ...
by ramdas
18 Oct 2021 01:49
Forum: Strategy, Politics & International Relations Forum
Topic: Kaushal Vepa is no more. Om Shanti
Replies: 86
Views: 15551

Re: Kaushal Vepa is no more. Om Shanti

Om Shanti. Bhagwan unki atma ko sadgati pradan karey...I too remember his posts from the late 90s/early 2000s when I was just a lurker here
by ramdas
17 Oct 2021 21:32
Forum: Strategy, Politics & International Relations Forum
Topic: J&K Union Territory-2019
Replies: 4374
Views: 1344004

Re: J&K Union Territory-2019

@Chetak: are you saying that the Pakis are in a stronger position, and would dominate any escalation ? If anything, this deescalation by our side (ceasefire, etc) has only served to benefit the Pakis
by ramdas
07 Oct 2021 06:37
Forum: Strategy, Politics & International Relations Forum
Topic: Wuhan Coronavirus Resource Thread
Replies: 14441
Views: 2707166

Re: Wuhan Coronavirus Resource Thread

@Suraj: Could the slow vaccination in the last few days be because doses are being exported to other countries (Vaccine Maitri) ? That would be a very unfortunate...
by ramdas
24 Sep 2021 11:53
Forum: Mil-Tech Archive
Topic: Indian Missiles News & Discussions - 17 Dec 2018
Replies: 5960
Views: 2250125

Re: Indian Missiles News & Discussions - 17 Dec 2018

Also, given that Dr. Saraswat himself has revealed MIRVs as a goal way back in 2012/13, why would MIRVs in a test be something to hide with babus having to do `damage control' ? MIRVs are absolutely necessary or credible deterrence, given China's buildup. As or decoys, only if the decoys are heavy d...
by ramdas
24 Sep 2021 11:23
Forum: Mil-Tech Archive
Topic: Indian Missiles News & Discussions - 17 Dec 2018
Replies: 5960
Views: 2250125

Re: Indian Missiles News & Discussions - 17 Dec 2018

now whose sources do we trust, Hemant Rout's or Rajat Pandit's ?
by ramdas
23 Sep 2021 22:06
Forum: Mil-Tech Archive
Topic: Indian Missiles News & Discussions - 17 Dec 2018
Replies: 5960
Views: 2250125

Re: Indian Missiles News & Discussions - 17 Dec 2018

It could be that the postponement may be for weather related reasons. The monsoon has become unusually active at this time. This may not have been foreseen when the NOTAM was issued on Sep 11. Hopefully this is the only reason, and the test with MIRVs will take place once the weather clears.
by ramdas
17 Aug 2021 20:50
Forum: Military Issues & History Forum
Topic: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020 - Part 2
Replies: 5263
Views: 1736081

Re: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020 - Part 2

And these have to be missiles that have survived a first strike. So the total looks like 80 Agni 5s and 160 warheads of 200 kt. If this number has to definitely survive a first strike, gross it up by whatever your estimate is of the casualties on account of the first strike e.g. at a 50% rate, you ...
by ramdas
15 Aug 2021 23:54
Forum: Military Issues & History Forum
Topic: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020 - Part 2
Replies: 5263
Views: 1736081

Re: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020 - Part 2

ldev: You have explained some factors motivating China's buildup well. The question is how India should react to it. Do nothing and trust that China's buildup is only targeted at the US ? In this case India is dependent on China's intentions. Those can change anytime, if they have'nt already. What i...
by ramdas
15 Aug 2021 21:40
Forum: Military Issues & History Forum
Topic: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020 - Part 2
Replies: 5263
Views: 1736081

Re: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020 - Part 2

@ldev: even the 415-875 count may be an underestimate. First, there is at least one other field being built up in addition to the two mentioned in the FAS report. Second, the DF-41 may have more MIRVs (6 ?). So China is sprinting to parity with the US/Russia, if not more. To maintain balance, a buil...
by ramdas
15 Aug 2021 10:58
Forum: Military Issues & History Forum
Topic: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020 - Part 2
Replies: 5263
Views: 1736081

Re: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020 - Part 2

I would also expect Pakistan in it's dogged pursuit of parity with India to get a nuclear powered submarine from China at some point in time. Possible given China' s machinations. This is why India too should no longer be satisfied with minimum deterrence and embark on a nuclear buildup as far as n...
by ramdas
14 Aug 2021 21:00
Forum: Military Issues & History Forum
Topic: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020 - Part 2
Replies: 5263
Views: 1736081

Re: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020 - Part 2

I meant from an economic and mil technology perspective… India wants access to the best of western mil and non mil tech/capabilities yet make strides in building indigenous capacity. Obviously India will never be exactly like Japan and SK but the leaders are aiming for something similar If the simi...
by ramdas
14 Aug 2021 20:14
Forum: Military Issues & History Forum
Topic: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020 - Part 2
Replies: 5263
Views: 1736081

Re: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020 - Part 2

@shyamd: When you say GoI vision is to be SK or Japan, do you mean GoI intends to let the nuclear deterrent atrophy and rely on the west for security ? Instead, a policy of enhancing the nuclear deterrent, and securing borders while isolated would work well for GoI. GoI should discreetly signal a ch...
by ramdas
12 Aug 2021 09:25
Forum: Science, Economics & Technology Forum
Topic: Indian Space Program: News & Discussion
Replies: 1010
Views: 591908

Re: Indian Space Program: News & Discussion

ramana wrote:ramdas, Do we know if they had dual ignition trains? And if so what do they use in that train? HVDs and Energy Transfer Systems to Igniters?
I have'nt seen any information regarding this.
by ramdas
12 Aug 2021 08:53
Forum: Science, Economics & Technology Forum
Topic: Indian Space Program: News & Discussion
Replies: 1010
Views: 591908

Re: Indian Space Program: News & Discussion

https://twitter.com/isro/status/1425631254913843202 ISRO confirms that CUS ignition did not take place. In GSLV D3 it seemed that ignition did not happen, but was later found out that CUS ignition took place but turbopump issues prevented thrust from being sustained beyond 2.2 secs. Corrective meas...
by ramdas
12 Aug 2021 07:23
Forum: Science, Economics & Technology Forum
Topic: Indian Space Program: News & Discussion
Replies: 1010
Views: 591908

Re: Indian Space Program: News & Discussion

The last telemetry screenshot available in public (see https://i.imgur.com/ZmnG1Q0.png for instance) seems to indicate that CUS IGN was commanded. No confirmation of the same. The lack of velocity gain after CUS IGN command seems to indicate that CUS failed to ignite in the first place. May boil dow...
by ramdas
12 Aug 2021 06:51
Forum: Science, Economics & Technology Forum
Topic: Indian Space Program: News & Discussion
Replies: 1010
Views: 591908

Re: Indian Space Program: News & Discussion

Probably the disruption due to covid etc. led to some organizational laxity....ISRO for some reason has been the worst hit due to these disruptions. This is unlike the US and Russia where space launches continued as usual in spite of society in general having been even more severely hit by covid.The...
by ramdas
28 Jul 2021 23:32
Forum: Strategy, Politics & International Relations Forum
Topic: Wuhan Coronavirus Resource Thread
Replies: 14441
Views: 2707166

Re: Wuhan Coronavirus Resource Thread

1) A seropositivity of 70% or so in UP in particular does not square with the low TPR that state has had relative to most others. That should, if anything indicate that UP undercounted less than states that have sustained a high TPR. It may well be that the distribution of covid exposure in UP is ve...
by ramdas
27 Jul 2021 20:40
Forum: Strategy, Politics & International Relations Forum
Topic: Wuhan Coronavirus Resource Thread
Replies: 14441
Views: 2707166

Re: Wuhan Coronavirus Resource Thread

Looks like there is a large surge in covid cases in Kerala (22000+ today with TPR >12%). A third wave is inevitable unless travel to and from Kerala is permitted only for the fully vaccinated having a negative RTPCR test. Hope GoI acts decisively here and protects the other states from the fallout o...
by ramdas
25 Jul 2021 22:08
Forum: Strategy, Politics & International Relations Forum
Topic: Wuhan Coronavirus Resource Thread
Replies: 14441
Views: 2707166

Re: Wuhan Coronavirus Resource Thread

@Amber G.: The claims that Kerala is undercounting less than other states is what I seriously doubt. For instance, UP has a very low TPR overall, with a high TPR only for a brief period (3 weeks or so) mid April to May 1st week. TPR more than any other parameter should indicate the true situation at...
by ramdas
25 Jul 2021 04:22
Forum: Strategy, Politics & International Relations Forum
Topic: Wuhan Coronavirus Resource Thread
Replies: 14441
Views: 2707166

Re: Wuhan Coronavirus Resource Thread

Some states (Kerala, Manipur come to mind) still have a very high testing positivity rate (Kerala's TPR appears to be increasing in the last few days). Should'nt GoI impose stringent restrictions on interstate travel to and from these states ? For instance, such travel should be allowed only for the...
by ramdas
02 Jun 2021 03:02
Forum: Strategy, Politics & International Relations Forum
Topic: Wuhan Coronavirus Resource Thread
Replies: 14441
Views: 2707166

Re: Wuhan Coronavirus Resource Thread

@Amber G: The cvoter pollster Yashwant Deshmukh claims based on his surveys (asking people whether they lost a family member etc) that 1.8 million people lost their lives in India due to covid so far. This number seems absurd to me. Even with any potential undercounting, I would not expect the real ...
by ramdas
28 Dec 2020 13:15
Forum: Trash Can Archive
Topic: 2020 Strategic and Political Analysis-1
Replies: 10196
Views: 2079367

Re: 2020 Strategic and Political Analysis-1

These "farmer protests" show how deeply anarchist BIF forces are entrenched. If they succeed using the tricks of their counterparts in the US, a nationalist revival will be very unlikely for decades at the very least. The damage the BIF can do under those conditions would threaten the very...
by ramdas
11 Aug 2020 20:18
Forum: Mil-Tech Archive
Topic: Indian Missiles News & Discussions - 17 Dec 2018
Replies: 5960
Views: 2250125

Re: Indian Missiles News & Discussions - 17 Dec 2018

https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/defence/story/20090803-deep-impact-740376-2009-07-23 This 2009 article by Sandeep Unnithan refers to a 3500 km range MIRVed K-X as the INS Arihant's primary armament. The K_X=K-4. So, the K-4 is likely to be MIRVed. Hope it has already been tested in such a configu...
by ramdas
10 Aug 2020 02:05
Forum: Military Issues & History Forum
Topic: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Replies: 3200
Views: 1667375

Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion

All ULH are 39 cal AFAIK. There is a 58 cal mod of the M777 but that may no longer be ultra-light.
by ramdas
04 Aug 2020 09:21
Forum: Strategy, Politics & International Relations Forum
Topic: Wuhan Coronavirus Resource Thread
Replies: 14441
Views: 2707166

Re: Wuhan Coronavirus Resource Thread

My deepest condolences to Ambarji and Mukhiji for their personal loss....
by ramdas
08 Jul 2020 03:58
Forum: Strategic & Security Issues Archive
Topic: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020
Replies: 8042
Views: 1524018

Re: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020

Any military action that PLA undertakes will not give the PLA better results than its 1979 war with Vietnam, particularly if we choose to fight defensively. The issue is that internal fifth columnists (congress pidis and allied pseudointellectuals in particular) would try to spin it as a national de...
by ramdas
08 Jul 2020 00:47
Forum: Strategic & Security Issues Archive
Topic: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020
Replies: 8042
Views: 1524018

Re: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020

@LakshmanPST: Several analysts/intellectuals (some seemed to be genuinely right wing before NaMo's rise) expected positions of influence after NaMo's rise, but did not get what they expected. Bharat Karnad and Brahma Chellaney are prominent among these. They have now taken to indirectly cheering for...
by ramdas
26 Jun 2020 23:39
Forum: Strategic & Security Issues Archive
Topic: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020
Replies: 8042
Views: 1524018

Re: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020

Such attitude allowed China to dominate LAC all this while and prod and poke India at its will. https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/don-t-give-the-military-total-freedom/story-cJ5UfWRH5XGex4TFp9tAeM.html Don’t give the military total freedom | Opinion Shyam Saran, IFS is epitome of Indian Fools...
by ramdas
25 Jun 2020 00:37
Forum: Strategic & Security Issues Archive
Topic: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020
Replies: 8042
Views: 1524018

Re: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020

My own reading is that CCP/PLA intended to occupy areas that were not held/undefended, dig themselves in, and help anti national forces within India such as the INC by taking some sheen of NaMo. At the same time, they show their strength by pulling off such salami slicing. @manish: WMDs are about ca...
by ramdas
25 Jun 2020 00:08
Forum: Strategic & Security Issues Archive
Topic: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020
Replies: 8042
Views: 1524018

Re: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020

@Manish: A long drawn, all out conventional war cannot be undertaken against a nuclear armed state. Do you think the deterrent will be kept idle if it gets to a MIC vs MIC fight that we are not going to win, and the consequences of loss are loss of Ladakh ? All in all, not first use is a very foolis...
by ramdas
24 Jun 2020 06:01
Forum: Strategic & Security Issues Archive
Topic: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020
Replies: 8042
Views: 1524018

Re: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020

@ldev: While 400 conventional SRBMs would cause civilian terror and disruption, without concomitant loss of territory or facilities of strategic value, that by itself does not merit a nuclear response. It is different if BM/Nuke production facilities are accurately targeted. I believe the A-5 is als...
by ramdas
24 Jun 2020 00:08
Forum: Strategic & Security Issues Archive
Topic: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020
Replies: 8042
Views: 1524018

Re: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020

Once again, when some posters say that the PLA can just walk into Leh by dragging a conventional war long enough, I do not see why we cant go nuclear in that situation. Not taking into account the deterrent is foolish to say the least. Losing territory on that scale threatens the very existence of t...
by ramdas
23 Jun 2020 21:15
Forum: Strategic & Security Issues Archive
Topic: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020
Replies: 8042
Views: 1524018

Re: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020

1. I do not know why forum members here are imagining a situation where the PLA takes Leh. If that is where a war is headed, it is time to use the nuclear deterrent and face the resulting consequences. If they take Leh, they should lose Shanghai. 2. Given the terrain, I do not see this panning out. ...
by ramdas
23 Jun 2020 12:28
Forum: Strategic & Security Issues Archive
Topic: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020
Replies: 8042
Views: 1524018

Re: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020

Maybe INC wants to rush GoI into precipitate frontal action to evict the PLA in the F4-F8 area, where we are currently at a disadvantage. Such an action is likely to be a stalemate, leaving PLA where they currently are. This would be tom-tommed by INC as Modi having lost that land. While the area is...
by ramdas
23 Jun 2020 00:23
Forum: Strategic & Security Issues Archive
Topic: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020
Replies: 8042
Views: 1524018

Re: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020

I do not see how they can just walk into Leh, or snatch Ladakh, even in tandem with the Pakis. Even Gen. Panag, who has no love lost for the current govt. has made it clear that if a full fledged war takes on such a trajectory, we can always fall back on our nuclear arsenal.
by ramdas
21 Jun 2020 01:53
Forum: Strategic & Security Issues Archive
Topic: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020
Replies: 8042
Views: 1524018

Re: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020

khan wrote: I think all these “OSINT“ people with access to satellite imagery are our people (or our allies) & there is a specific reason they haven’t shown anything about Depsang plains.
What do you think the reason is ? Serious intrusion by PLA or counter action afoot from our side ?
by ramdas
21 Jun 2020 01:29
Forum: Strategic & Security Issues Archive
Topic: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020
Replies: 8042
Views: 1524018

Re: India's Border Security with China and Pakistan-2020

GoI should exercise control on what the press publishes on this matter. Even journalists such as Manu Pubby that are not fully part of the BIF gang like Ajai Shukla is were insisting on the PLA being inside our side of the LAC in Galwan and Hot Springs as well. Now the same person quotes sources to ...