Ctrl + Alt + Defence

Can India match China's PL-15 in the skies? Are Indian air-to-air missiles already outgunned by Pakistan's F-16s? Is the IAF's Meteor on the Rafale really enough or already outranged? And what does it mean for India's Tejas and legacy fighters?

In CTRL ALT DEFENCE episode 24, Vishnu Som answers Shiv Aroor's burning questions on India's air defence vis a vis air-to-air missiles. A dive deep into the growing missile gap in South Asia  and what India must do to close it. From the Chinese PL-15's jaw-dropping range to the limitations of MICA, R-77, and even Meteor, this is a candid, fact-driven discussion on how ultra long-range air-to-air missiles are reshaping modern aerial combat.

Can India's Astra Mk2 arrive in time? Can indigenous tech hold its own?

And... can Vishnu and Shiv really make their INS Arihant dreams come true?

Recorded at the NDTV World Summit, this special edition brings the entire CTRL ALT DEFENCE team together - right from the heart of Bharat Mandapam.

Don't miss it. Defense is changing fast. Are we ready?

In this episode of #CtrlAltDefence, we look at a possible order of Russian-designed Su-57 stealth fighters for the Indian Air Force.  An interim buy if it happens, the Su-57 will be India's first stealth fighter until such time as the indigenous AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) becomes available for induction in the mid-2030s.  But should the IAF acquire the Su-57? Does it meet an IAF need? Is the technology good enough or is this a risky buy, even if it is manufactured in India? Can India close the stealth-gap with China which already operates a whopping 300 J-20 stealth fighters? Join Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor on the latest episode of #CtrlAltDfefence.

 

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It's Indian aviation's most challenging project — AMCA — the stealth Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, the Indian Air Force's future.

Join Vishnu Som and NDTV's Science Editor Pallava Bagla in a conversation with the man leading India's AMCA development programme — Dr. Jitendra Jadhav, Director General of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).

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When will India finally get the Tejas Mk2? When will the first Tejas Mk1A fly? And WHY is Shiv Aroor missing from this episode??? That and more as Vishnu Som explores HAL Tejas manufacturing stages with HAL CMD Dr. D. K. Sunil

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Months after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, the Narendra Modi government has announced India's most ambitious defence upgrade since Independence.

In this episode of CTRL ALT DEFENCE, Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor report on a comprehensive 15-year roadmap prepared by the Ministry of Defence, aimed at transforming the Indian Armed Forces through the infusion of billions of dollars and cutting-edge technology.

A copy of the roadmap, accessed by NDTV, outlines plans for a dramatic overhaul of India's military capabilities - including the induction of nuclear-powered warships, next-generation battle tanks, hypersonic missiles, stealth bomber drones, AI-powered weapons systems, and space-based warfare technologies.

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India's first indigenous mountain tank has arrived. In this episode of the CTRL ALT DEFENCE, Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor bring you an exclusive look at the Zorawar light tank, developed specifically for high-altitude deployment in Ladakh. This is the first time any media organisation has been onboard the platform.

Zorawar is the product of a remarkable collaboration between Larsen & Toubro and the DRDO. Designed and built in just 21 months, the tank is capable of operating in extreme terrain, from deserts to snow-bound valleys. It is amphibious, agile, and equipped with a 105 mm high-elevation gun designed to perform in the Himalayas. And yes, she is also amphibious. 

This is not just a story of hardware, but of intent, speed, and innovation. A new generation of Indian defence engineering is taking shape.

NDTV is proud to present the first in-depth look at the Zorawar.

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Two warships. One historic moment. India commissions INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri, into the Navy's Eastern Command. With enhanced endurance, modern weapon systems, and entirely indigenous design, these ships mark a strategic leap in naval readiness. And NDTV's CTRL ALT DEFENCE duo Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor are aboard the latest Navy vessel, bringing you SUPER exclusive footage and conversations with the two commanding officers - Commodore Vikas Sood of INS Udaygiri and Captain Robin Chakravorty of INS Himgiri. 

This is the first time two frontline warships, constructed by two different shipyards, are being commissioned together. With INS Nilgiri, the lead P17A of the class entering service in January, and her two sister ships Udaygiri and Himgiri entering service today, it's a landmark bonanza for the Navy - three warships of a type entering service the same year and that too within months of each other.

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In this episode of Ctrl+Alt+Defence, NDTV's Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som dive into Project Sudarshan Chakra-India's ambitious new air and missile defense initiative announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech. 

Find out how this multi-layered shield aims to safeguard cities and vital assets using advanced radars, interceptors, and emerging technologies. Shiv and Vishnu decode the strategy, compare it with global systems like Iron Dome, and explain what makes Sudarshan Chakra a game-changer in national security.

In Episode 16 of Control Alt Defence, India's leading podcast on military, aerospace and defence, hosts Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som turn their attention to the MiG-21 fighter aircraft, an icon of Indian military aviation now set for retirement. Joining them is former Chief of Air Staff Birender Singh Dhanoa, who brings valuable insights and in-depth analysis on the fighter jet. 

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In this episode of Control Alt Defence, Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som examine the Indian Air Force Chief's confirmation of Pakistani aircraft losses during Operation Sindoor. Speaking at the LM Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru, Air Chief Marshal Amarpreet Singh stated that six Pakistani military aircraft were destroyed, including five fighters in the air and one surveillance platform at a distance of approximately 300 kilometres, likely using the S-400 missile system.

Lets explore the strategic implications of the strikes, the technology involved, and the broader context of air power in modern conflict. We also address the political narrative surrounding the operation and the Indian Air Force's measured approach to disclosing operational outcomes.

A grounded, analytical look at one of the most significant air operations in recent years.

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