Experts Speak

May 19, 2017
Phased Induction of M777 155mm Ultra Light Howitzers in the Indian Army
By Lt General V.K. Kapoor (Retd)
As part of its massive artillery modernisation plan, the army had planned to induct several types of howitzers through in-house manufacture by Defence Research...
May 18, 2017
Expediting Defence Procurements
By Ranjit Kumar
India's defence acquisition framework is considered to be one of the most cumbersome, time consuming, complex and fraught with uncertainties.
May 15, 2017
Strategic partnership policy — Needs speedy conclusion
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
When Defence Procurement Policy (DPP) 2016 was released by the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in Defexpo 2016, it was without few appendices, which were added later.
May 12, 2017
Countering Maoists — Serious review required
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
Post the ghastly Maoist ambush at Sukma on April 24, killing 24 CRPF personnel and injuring seven (of 99-strong CRPF column), a Gazette notification...
May 12, 2017
GSAT-09 — Modi's gift to South Asia
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
GSAT-09 or SAS (South Asia Satellite) is the latest technological move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for integrating South Asia, a resolve he had shown at the swearing in of his government by inviting all SAARC leaders, including Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan.
May 12, 2017
Another beheading by Pak Army
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
A press release on May 1 by Army's HQ Northern Command read, "Pak Army carried out unprovoked rocket and mortar firing on two forward posts on the line of control in Krishna Ghati Sector.
May 12, 2017
ICJ reprieve for Kulbhushan Jadhav
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

The reprieve obtained by India for Kulbhushan Yadav from the International Court of justice (ICJ) is a diplomatic victory. This is all the more special because the ICJ deals with international law involving states and not individual cases.
May 12, 2017
'Negative' defence budget — Goes more negative
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

The relationship between economy and defence is that both are dependent on each other. Defence cannot be strong without good economy...
April 25, 2017
PM Modi's Israel visit — Expectations?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel on July 5-6 this year, first by any Indian Prime Minster will be a historic event of extraordinary proportions since...
April 25, 2017
Another joint doctrine — But who will implement?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

Media is agog with headlines of "New defence doctrine to ensure Army, Navy, IAF can tackle entire spectrum of conflicts".
April 25, 2017
Kamov helicopters — Finally through?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

In March 2017, media reported that the Indo-Russian Kamov helicopter deal had hit a hurdle, pricing and technology transfer being main issues.
April 25, 2017
Pakistan's 'Jadhav' sentencing — Rotten to the core
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

A press release of April 10 by Pakistan's notorious ISPR said that Kulbhushan Jadhav arrested from Balochistan on March 3, 2016 for his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan was tried by FGCM under section 59 of Pakistan Army Act (PAA) and Section 3 of Official Secrets...
April 25, 2017
Increased violence in Kashmir — And the enemy within
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

The increased violence in Kashmir Valley doesn't appear to have been as seriously as warranted, especially the institutionalized radicalization...
April 13, 2017
Indo-Bangla relations at all time high — Teesta should be next step
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

The four day visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (April 7-10) has taken Indo-Bangladesh relations to an all time high. Just before her visit...
April 13, 2017
Cyber war — Where are we?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

Cyber attacks in India have been on the rise over the years, particularly against government sites and Indian missions abroad despite several layers of security measures in place to protect against intrusions.
April 13, 2017
ISIS menace — Caution time ahead
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

The Bhopal-Ujjain train blast on March 7, 2017 injuring nine people is being heralded as the first strike by the Islamic State in India. It has now emerged that the members of this module inspired by ISIS, led by self-styled 'emir' Atif Muzaffar, had crisscrossed the country between February 2016...
April 13, 2017
The border infrastructure mess
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

The Parliamentary Committee for Defence has been rapping the government for its lackadaisical approach to defence, however, this time it is the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) who has pulled up the Border Roads Organisation...
April 13, 2017
Bullet Resistant Vests
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

India has been fighting cross-border proxy wars, terrorism and insurgencies past three decades plus. The requirement of bullet proof jackets (BPJs) for every security forces fighter operating in counter insurgency and counter terrorist...
April 13, 2017
Maoists violence — Far from over
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

On March 10, 2017 an article titled 'Is It the End of the Road for Maoists?' appeared in the media. The author post visiting the areas of Jagargunda, Sukma, Dornapal, justified the title of the article on grounds that included...
March 14, 2017
Visit of Bangladesh PM - expectations
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

Coming up next month in April is the all important visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh to India.
Pakistan — Defiant Frankenstein
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

By admitting that the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack was carried out by Pakistan based terror group but that the Pakistani government had no role in it, former Pakistan National Security Adviser Mahmud Ali Durrani has managed to hit headlines while keeping himself safe.
Special Forces — efforts to bridge equipment voids
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

Media is agog with news "Army on shopping spree, commandos to get deadlier", reporting that after the successful 'surgical strikes', MoD is fast-tracking some...
Military Modernization Kaput — and the curse of committees
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has slammed the...
QCG and the six plus one
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

The Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) comprising the US, China, Afghanistan and Pakistan aimed to bring the Taliban on board to join...
Of Grenade Lobbing Robots — and more
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

As the battle for Mosul continues, the ISIS fights on with new technology. Tiny surveillance drones are employed to observe and report movement and positions of the attacking forces.
Indigenous LCH — good strides
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

India's indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), was a star attraction at the Aero India 2017...
Pakistan's Change of Heart — recurring utopia
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

When news came that Qamar Javed Bajwa, the Pakistani army chief had told his officers that they should read how the Indian democracy had succeeded, media at home went gaga as usual, with many utopians forecasting 'change of heart' in Pakistan, little realizing that Bajwa is from the same crop as Zia, Musharraf and Co. And lo and behold, some terror blowback in Pakistan and Bajwa plays...
Remov AFSPA — periodic punchline
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

There are frequent calls in insurgency affected areas for removal or dilution of the Armed Forces Special Power Act. Such calls are periodic in J&K and Manipur. It is also a election issue in Manipur this year, particularly by the People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) floated by Chanu Sharmila who has been demanding repealing of AFSPA for past 16 years.