In Our Defence

Ever wondered what a high-tech futuristic modern war would look like, especially with Artifical Intelligence coming in? Where might conflicts arise, and who will be involved? How will these wars unfold, and what technologies will shape them?

On this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor try to visualise the multifaceted nature of future warfare, from economic tactics to space militarisation and beyond.

Shiv suggests that the current India-China standoff is just a glimpse of future wars, emphasising the role of kinetic weapons and advanced weaponry in potential conflicts.

The two also venture into a theoretical and hypothetical example of what an Indian liberation of Tibet would look like.

Listen in as the duo creates a fearful scenario of the potential realities of tomorrow's battlefield.

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi

From an ambitious fighter jet project to a landmark missile test, the last few days marked important milestones for the nation’s defence. India test-launched the nuclear capable Agni-V missile in a ‘multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle’, or MIRV, avatar. Just days before, the government gave the all-clear for the development of the AMCA, or Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, a fifth-generation fighter jet that will feature cutting-edge technology.

On this episode of In Our Defence, host Dev Goswami and Defence expert Shiv Aroor discuss these two projects and what they mean for the Indian Air force and the country’s nuclear arsenal. The two also briefly discuss the unfortunate crash of the Tejas fighter jet, the first in its service history.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi

This week, the Indian Navy made significant moves. They officially launched the first squadron of MH 60R Seahawk helicopters, boosting their surveillance and combat abilities at sea. The commissioning ceremony for the INAS 334 'Seahawks' naval air squadron took place at INS Garuda in Kochi.

In addition, India opened a new naval base on Minicoy Island in the Indian Ocean, near the Maldives, amidst strained relations. This base, INS Jatayu, is strategically important, being India's furthest western base and around 125 km from the Maldives.

In this episode, host Dev Goswami and defense expert Shiv Aroor, discuss these developments and the significance of Lakshadweep for the Indian Navy. Why is it that Andaman and Nicobar islands have been given a greater focus than Lakshadweep, an archipelago who has always had a limited military presence? How timely is the establishment of the new navy base on the archipelago? And in the midst of this, how does Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding bash in Jamnagar, come into the picture? Well, tune in to find out!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound mix by Kapil Dev Singh

This week, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor delve into the harrowing events of November 26, 2008, when 10 Pakistani terrorists infiltrated south Mumbai via the sea, launching a series of devastating attacks.

Recounting the gruesome assault orchestrated by the Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which claimed 166 lives and left over 300 injured, Shiv shares his firsthand experience of being present outside the Trident-Oberoi on Marine Drive that fateful evening.

The duo examines how this incident spotlighted glaring deficiencies in India's intelligence apparatus—highly-trained security forces, including the Mumbai Police, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), National Security Guard (NSG), and Marine Commandos (MARCOS).

Was this India's 'Kargil moment'? Shiv argues it was ‘far worse’. They scrutinise the factors contributing to the failures, including questions about the ‘political will’ of the then UPA government to not respond aggressively, influenced by the geopolitical landscape, particularly the US-Pakistan relationship.

What are the lessons learned and the evolution of India's security posture since the tragedy? And why Shiv advocates against labeling it solely as a ‘terrorist attack’, for a nuanced understanding of the attacks?

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound mix by Kapil Dev Singh

This week, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor talk about India's nuclear setup. They dive into why India decided to go nuclear back in the 1980s and 1990s, explaining the concept of the nuclear triad. What does it mean, and why has it been so challenging to complete the submarine part of this triad? And why do we need submarines like the INS Arihant or INS Arighat to finish the triad?

What exactly can India do with its nuclear weapons? And why is there so much secrecy surrounding these operations?

Let's imagine for a moment: if a nuclear attack were to happen, what would it look like?

And they ponder the paradoxical nature of the nuclear world. What is it? Tune in to find out more!

Read Sandeep Unnithan's story on India's indigenous nuclear submarine project here.

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound mix by Kapil Dev Singh

In January 2020, General Bipin Rawat became the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Indian Armed Forces. However, his tenure was tragically cut short by a helicopter crash in December 2021. The position remained vacant for almost nine months until General Anil Chauhan took over. Why did it take so long to fill the CDS position after General Rawat's passing? Was there genuine effort to reach political consensus earlier?

There were also concerns whether the CDS post was created solely for General Rawat, believed to be a favorite of the Modi government. Has the CDS role achieved anything substantial? What was the dream when the post was conceptualised and where do we stand now?

Host Dev Goswami and defense expert Shiv Aroor delve into the history of the CDS position, tracing it back to the Kargil war. The Kargil review committee, formed in 1999, recommended the CDS position due to evident lack of coordination between the army and air force during the conflict. But, are India's armed forces truly 'joint' despite the creation of the CDS role in 2019?

The duo also reflects on General Rawat's legacy, marked by controversies like his remarks classifying the Air Force as a 'support arm’, in an India Today interview. Does this hint at deeper divisions within the military?

Examining progress towards synergy among the armed forces, they ponder whether India is truly advancing in jointmanship or still grappling with turf wars and egos, exemplified by debates over HAL Prachand helicopters.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound mix by Nitin Rawat

Indian army chiefs have consistently emphasised the sensitivity of the India-China situation for the past four years. What is the current ground situation, and why is it unfavorable for India with the looming Chinese threat?

Host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor delve into these questions in this episode.

Numerous reports have been of Chinese "spy ships" in the Indian Ocean region. What defines these "spy ships," and why isn't India's response widely discussed in the media, considering other countries also deploy research vessels for strategic purposes? And why is there concern without specific laws prohibiting Chinese "research vessels" from conducting surveillance activities?

Are there noticeable changes happening at the tactical level?

One significant advantage India holds over China is its extensive knowledge of the Indian Ocean's geography, including depths, water intensity, and temperature, crucial for submarine warfare. But, China excels in submarine capabilities, posing a challenge for India.

The duo also discusses reasons for the Indian establishment's shift from focusing on Pakistan to now China over the past decade or so. What does this denote, and how did India reach this point?

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

We live in an age where drones are everywhere. In this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor delve into the world of UAVs or UAS, commonly known as drones. These unmanned air systems have played pivotal roles in global events, from the U.S. war on terror to conflicts in Ukraine, Israel-Hamas, and Azerbaijan-Armenia. Despite their ubiquitous presence, popular culture and mainstream defense writing lag in portraying the significance of these non-human aircraft. Why?

While India boasts a list of domestically manufactured drones, none are currently in service. The discussion delves into the reasons behind India's delayed adoption and the increasing involvement of private companies in the drone ecosystem.

The duo also contemplates the potential takeover of drones by AI, about the elimination of the human loop and the future of drone warfare. What game-changing effects drones can have in military operations? What are the challenges faced by the military in drone usage, including concerns about proliferation and security threats from terrorists and non-state actors. The ultimate question remains: Is drone warfare here to stay, and how will it shape the landscape of future conflicts?

Tune in to listen!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

In this Republic Day special, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor analyse the delayed progress of PM Modi's 'Atmanirbharta' in defence. Why the prolonged wait? What's the stark reality we must confront? Why are we still dependent on Russian equipment even now? Why is self-reliance a painful birthing process?

The episode starts with reflections on the Republic Day fanfare, notably the annual parade at Kartavyapath. Amidst the grand spectacle, critics question the hefty costs. Is there a valid place for the R-Day parade in modern India? Shiv disapproves of the display of weaponry, citing the irony of India being a major arms importer while reiterating the urgency for self-reliance in defence equipment.

The duo also takes us through the history of India's quest for self-reliance. Why is it not a happy story? Why has India faltered despite having huge needs for military equipment? Was it because of political reluctance to go into having a weapons industry? And why do HAL, DRDO and various other organisations still need more accountability and cohesion?

What's the stranglehold of government bodies on defence production? And where do the private companies stand in the midst of this? Finally, what pulls and pressures are required to be fully Atmanirbhar?

Well, not everything is gloomy, though. While India remains one of the biggest weapons importers, it has made excellent strides in the last decade. What are those?

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

The Middle East, also referred to as West Asia, is on fire. In the three months since the Gaza-based terrorist group Hamas launched a dastardly attack on Israel, events in the region have started resembling a 'World War' but perhaps not in the sense that we understand the term.

On Episode 7 of In Our Defence, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor break down the goings on in the Middle East, starting with the Iranian air strikes into "terrorist" camps in neighbouring Pakistan. While not directly linked to the Israel-Hamas war, what do the attacks tell us about the relationship between Iran and Pakistan?

Also, with Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacking ships in the Red Sea, prompting the United States to intervene, and the Hezbollah, another Iranian proxies, engaged in a limited conflicts with Israel, is Iran fast emerging as the world's trouble-maker-in-chief? Also, what do the Iranian strikes tell us about the military setup in Pakistan, a country that is economically on its knees?

And finally, with the world in the midst of two wars - Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine - that have dragged in other countries in some form or the other, how close is the threat of an all-out global conflict and, more worryingly, a nuclear war?

Dev and Shiv discuss this and much more. Tune in to the latest episode of In Our Defence.

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh