In Our Defence

In this captivating landscape, a complex web of questions surrounds the tale of Pakistani citizen Seema Haider and her partner Sachin Meena. Could their relationship be an authentic love story, or is Seema concealing a covert life as a spy? And this is what has been dominating the mainstream media space for weeks now!

Theories abound, but the undeniable truth is that Seema's entry into India was "illegal," raising concerns about internal security. The involvement of the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh Police only adds to the intrigue.

One crucial aspect that raises eyebrows is Seema's connection to the Pakistani Army. Her uncle and brother's involvement with the military raises the possibility of her association with the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI. However, the love story's origins are intriguing—Seema and Sachin met while playing the online game PUBG.

In a gripping episode, renowned crime reporter and India Today’s managing editor of Crime Tak & Crime Aaj Tak, Shams Tahir Khan, joins host Dev Goswami and "Def Savvy," Abhishek Bhalla, to shed light on Seema's ordeal and her link to Balochistan. Khan highlights certain aspects of Seema's behavior, linguistic proficiency, that have attracted scrutiny.

But this is not a first, as Shams recounts the case of  another Pakistani girl, named Iqra, who had met 25-year-old Mulayam Singh Yadav via an online Ludo game. She was, however, sent back to Pakistan by the Indian government.

So, what makes Shams firmly believe that she is not a spy? Join the discussion as we attempt to unravel the truth behind this captivating saga.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi

The Indian Defense Ministry has recently approved plans to procure 26 Rafale fighter aircraft and three Scorpene class conventional submarines for the Indian Navy from France.

In this episode, host Dev Goswami and "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla delve into the significance of this deal and its implications for the concerned countries. 

“India's defense acquisitions are entering an exciting phase, particularly after the recent predator drones deal with the US. Now, India is eagerly looking forward to finalizing a deal with France,” Abhishek says. 

Of particular interest is the inclusion of 3-4 Rafale jets in the Bastille Day parade. These Indian Rafale jets have arrived in France, where they will participate in the Bastille Day flypast over the iconic Champs Elysees in Paris. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be the guest of honor at this event.

The hosts also explore the concept of a government-to-government deal and highlight its distinctive features compared to conventional deals. They shed light on the pressing need for new fighter jets for the Indian Air Force, emphasizing the current shortage in the fleet.

They also touch upon the reasons behind the urgency for acquiring new fighter jets for the Indian Navy. The hosts examine the challenges involved in developing fighter jets for naval purposes, considering their unique requirements. 

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Kapil Dev Singh

During the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US from June 21 to 24, India successfully finalized a significant government-to-government deal with the United States. The agreement involves the procurement of 31 Predator drones, amounting to a value exceeding USD 4 billion. 

In this episode, host Dev Goswami and  "Def Savvy” Abhishek Bhalla, discuss why this is a big deal and what are its implications for the respective countries involved.

Abhishek Bhalla emphasizes the magnitude of this acquisition by comparing it to the procurement of a fighter jet deal. The purchase of advanced drones carries immense strategic importance for both nations.

The conversation delves into the underlying strategic interests associated with the deal. Abhishek emphasized that these agreements extend beyond the current leadership of Presidents Biden and Modi; they lay the groundwork for future political administrations as well. Similar precedent was established through a template set with Russia in previous years.

The duo expands on the potential of such a deal, discussing how the enhanced surveillance capabilities offered by the drones could revolutionize warfare. Abhishek offers the intriguing possibility of conducting surgical strikes without risking the lives of soldiers, thanks to the extended reach of surveillance these drones provide.

The discussion also explores the curiosity surrounding the greater insistence of the United States on finalizing this deal, despite India's expressed interest. It is intriguing to ponder why the US attaches more urgency to the agreement.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Kapil Dev Singh

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Amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, a surprising internal strife has erupted between the Russian military and the Wagner mercenary group, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Did Putin foresee the possibility of creating a powerful private military company that could challenge the Kremlin's forces? With Wagner turning against Putin, does this development alleviate the threat to Ukraine and Europe? Why did the uprising fizzle out quickly and require Belarusian intervention? What are the implications of Gorkhas joining the Wagner group?

Find out more in this intriguing discussion with host Dev Goswami and "Def Savvy," Abhishek Bhalla.

Join host Dev Goswami and "Def-Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla, who are joined by a special guest Col. Rajvir Sharma, a distinguished infantry officer from the 15 Jat Regiment, as they delve into the requirements and qualities necessary to become an officer in the Indian Armed Forces.

Col. Sharma, who served the Indian army for over 30 years in challenging regions like the Line of Control, high-altitude areas of J&K, and the Indo-Tibet border, now shares his vast experience through a successful edtech startup that trains defense aspirants.

Why is honesty, teamwork, and assertiveness highly valued in officers? Col. Sharma offers valuable insights into the significance of these traits and their impact on effective military leadership. Moreover, we dispel the misconception that SSB is biased towards candidates from privileged backgrounds, as Col. Sharma asserts, "SSB has nothing to do with one's humble origins."

Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of the path to 'officerhood' in the Indian Military and unlock the secrets to excelling in the SSB selection process.

In this episode, host Dev Goswami engages in a discussion with , "Def Savvy," Abhishek Bhalla about the distressing series of ethnic violence currently plaguing Manipur. Abhishek emphasizes the allure of the North East, describing it as a “civilization with a deeply rooted heritage and pride”. The ongoing issues in Manipur, he suggests, “directly relate to this pride”.

The duo lists reasons behind Manipur's volatile situation, addressing factors such as its ethnic composition, the Meitei argument, and the underlying causes of unrest. They also delve into the ramifications of the army's involvement and examine why the issue is particularly sensitive and complex.

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In this episode, "Def Savvy," Abhishek Bhalla and host Dev Goswami delve into two significant defense acquisitions. Firstly, India and the US are on the brink of finalizing a groundbreaking defense deal. This deal aims to facilitate a partnership between India's state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the American firm General Electric (GE) for the joint manufacturing of indigenous jet engines for fighter aircraft.

The deal is anticipated to be sealed during Prime Minister Modi's upcoming visit to the US later this month. The primary objective is to manufacture the GE F414 engine, which was selected by India in 2010 for the Mark II version of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas. Currently, Tejas is equipped with the GE F404 engine.

How will this agreement significantly benefit HAL?

The episode also discusses India's recent discussions with Germany regarding the progress of a deal for the procurement of six advanced conventional submarines under Project-75I for the Indian Navy. During his visit, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed his strong support for the German company Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).

However, why has Project 75-I, which involves the development of six submarines, faced delays? Could it be due to the navy's requirements being deemed unfeasible?

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India has been developing border villages in its north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh as tourist hubs to assert dominance over China near the line of actual control (LAC). How does the Centre's Vibrant Villages Programme aim to ensure environmental and energy security and promote tourism in the border villages?

What are the concerns raised by Indian border forces regarding Chinese model villages?

And what is the purpose of the scheme, and how does it differ from China's model villages?

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Join "Def-Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla and host Dev Goswami as they delve into the reports suggesting Beijing's interest in recruiting Nepal's renowned Gorkhas into the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA).

The Indian Army's routine intake of the Gorkhas came to a halt after the Agnipath scheme was introduced.

So, what factors contribute to the desirability of Gorkhas in the military forces of various nations, including China, India, and Pakistan, during times of conflict?

How does the demographic composition of the Gorkha regiment, with a majority of soldiers from Nepal and a significant portion from India, influence the dynamics and demand for Gorkhas in different military alliances?

Considering China's growing influence in Nepal, what potential consequences could arise if China successfully attracts Gorkhas away from their traditional military alliances, particularly with India, and how?
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The Indian Army has made a significant decision to introduce a standardized uniform for Brigadier and above rank officers, regardless of their parent cadre or appointment.

This change comes after extensive deliberations during the Army Commanders' Conference.

Different uniforms and accoutrements in the Indian Army have traditionally represented specific arms, regiments, and services, fostering a sense of identity and camaraderie. But, what change will this decision bring? Is this move towards a common uniform aims to promote unity and uniformity as officers progress beyond their regimental roles, eliminating visible affiliations.

The decision's implications, timing, and the desire to shed colonial influences are discussed in the "Def-Savvy" podcast featuring Abhishek Bhalla and host Dev Goswami. Tune in for the full conversation.