Experts Speak
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December 7, 2020
Indigenous QRSAM – Induction 2021
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The indigenous Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is slated go for production in 2021 after completing user trials over the next six months.
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November 23, 2020
SPRUT SDM1: The Last Thing Indian Army Needs
By Lt. General J.K. Sharma (Retd)No other country in any part of the world has evinced any interest in the same so far for numerous reasons including major shortcomings like limited armour protection, accuracy and subsequent maintenance and sustenance.
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November 20, 2020
The Depsang Tangle
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Subramanian Swamy created quite a flutter on Twitter with his tweet on November 15 that read: “I asked a national security officer how could the Chinese PLA build such an extensive infrastructure in such short period in Depsang.
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November 20, 2020
Iran’s Counter to Pakistani Terror
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Akin to India and Afghanistan, Iran too has been victim of Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism. For Iran, the situation has been aggravated because of institutionalised killings of Shia Muslims in Pakistan, as also in Afghanistan through Pakistan-backed Taliban, Haqqanis and the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP).
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November 20, 2020
EOS-01 Military Satellite Orbiting
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On November 7, 2020, military satellite EOS-01 was launched into space from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota along with nine international customer satellites. These satellites were carried on board India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in its fifty first flight - PSLV-C49.
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November 20, 2020
Extended Range and Guided Pinakas
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)One positive consequence from the Chinese aggression in Ladakh is it has shaken up the governmental defence-industrial complex out of slumber, perhaps on receiving a jibe from the government.
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November 20, 2020
Beyond the ASAT Capability
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Mission ‘Shakti’ executed on March 27, 2019, successfully shooting down a low-earth satellite, demonstrated India’s anti-satellite (ASAT) capabilities. This enabled India to join the elite club of countries having similar capabilities; the US, Russia and China.
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November 20, 2020
China’s ULFA Gambit
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The recent surrender by Drishti Rajkhowa alias Drishti Asom, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of banned insurgent organisation, ULFA (I) with his four bodyguards to the Army on November 12, 2020 at Rangiya in Assam made headlines.
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November 7, 2020
Indo-US 2+2 Dialogue – New Chapter?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The third India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue held last month in New Delhi between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar of India with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defence Mark T. Esper...
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November 7, 2020
Defence against Swarm Drones
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Islamic State used multiple drones on many occasions against the US and Iraqi forces engaged in retaking territory seized by them in Iraq. On January 5, 2018, 13 x GPS guided drones launched more than 50 km away attacked the Russian Air and Naval Bases at Khemmiem and Tartus in West Syria respectively.
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November 7, 2020
Army Chief’s Nepal Visit
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indian Army Chief, General Manoj Mukund Naravane, accompanied with his wife Veena Naravane, recently made a three-day visit to Nepal beginning November 04. Nepal had not cleared General Naravane’s visit on February 03, 2020 reason for which was later cited as COVID-19 but the pandemic had not struck India and Nepal then.
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November 7, 2020
China’s Pullback Googly
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)While talks with China are continuing to ease the standoff in Eastern Ladakh, the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) is consolidating along the entire length of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
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November 7, 2020
Advances in Exoskeleton Army Gear
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)News reports of September 2019 stated that the Defence Bioengineering and Electro-medical Laboratory (DEBEL) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been collating data for Simulation and Analysis of Musco-skeletal parts, like lower limb simulation (while the soldier is standing), etc.
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November 7, 2020
Soft Tentacles of Terror
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Propaganda and disinformation to destabilise a region/country form essential components of hybrid warfare. These generate public support, without which terrorists would not survive.
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October 20, 2020
Beijing’s Continued Logjam
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Seventh Corps Commander level India-China talks at Chushul on October 12 remained largely inconclusive as expected. The joint statement as reported in Chinese media had similar diplomatic scripts as earlier saying...
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October 20, 2020
Small Arms for Infantry
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Equipping Army’s infantry soldiers with modern small arms has always been a problem. The usual reference is to 70 years of neglect but it is conveniently forgotten that the common factor is the bureaucracy which continues to play its own games irrespective of which government is in power.
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October 20, 2020
Pakistan Stoking Khalistan
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The reason why China and Pakistan are bed fellows is because both share the DNA of Satan. China has incarcerated a million Uighur Muslims in Auschwitz-like concentration camps, demolished hundreds of mosques building toilets...
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October 20, 2020
US Focus on Tibet
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)China’s biological bombing of the world, abrasive all round aggression in line with President Xi Jinping’s moves to dominate the world and growing US-China friction has led to America appointing an envoy for Tibet.
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October 20, 2020
The Missile Punch
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)In a signal to China, India conducted a slew of missile tests recently. These included the 400-km extended range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, the Shaurya hypersonic missile, a low skimming subsonic Nirbhay cruise missile, SMART long range torpedoes, and RUDRAM anti-radiation missile.
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October 1, 2020
Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 on September 28, 2020 which is an improvement on the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016.
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October 1, 2020
Boosting Combat Drones Capability
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)As China remains hostile with its state media saying China does not recognise the Union Territory of Ladakh, established “illegally” by India, India is going in for boosting its combat drones capabilities.
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October 1, 2020
Ageing Helicopters
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Adverse affects of decades of neglect of defence and negative defence budgets in actual terms under various governments are coming to fore, faced with the Chinese aggression.
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October 1, 2020
ATAGS Mishap
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)As part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative and indigenisation, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has designed and developed the 155mm/52mm calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) project in conjunction with Kalyani Group, Tata Power and OFB to replace older guns.
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September 19, 2020
Gearing Up For Star Wars
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Recent news from the defence technology battlefront indicates that the Defence Research and Development Organisation is planning to provide combat capabilities to Armed Forces for fighting star wars type conflicts.
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September 19, 2020
Fresh Chinese Moves in Ladakh
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The number of PLA battalions deployed in Ladakh has gone up from 35 in August to 50 in September. Tensions are high as opposing troops are eyeball to eyeball in certain locations and there have been incidents of shots being fired in the air.
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September 19, 2020
Hypersonic Prowess
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Hypersonic technology that makes platforms travel beyond the speed of sound is revolutionising warfare. Hypersonic vehicles propelled by air-breathing propulsion systems, in addition to the scramjet missile currently under development...
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September 19, 2020
Carbines and AD Gun Missiles System
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Despite the ongoing fierce stand-off with China at the LAC, Defence Ministry cancels tenders for carbines and air defence systems for the Indian Army which will now be procured locally as the focus is on Atmanirbhar Bharat.
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September 19, 2020
Corporatisation of Ordnance Factories
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Union Government on September 11 has set up an Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).
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September 5, 2020
Defence Minister at SCO Meet
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Defence Minister Rajnath Singh left for a three-day visit to Russia on September 2 for attending the defence ministers meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
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September 5, 2020
2020 India-US 2+2 Dialogue
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The 2020 India-US 2+2 formal dialogue between foreign and defence ministries is likely to take place later this month after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is back from Russia after attending the SCO foreign ministers meet on September 10.
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September 5, 2020
Checkmating PLA at Pangong Tso
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Daddy Dragon Xi Jinping, Chinese President is hopping mad with his tail afire. Fresh attempts by PLA in Pangong Tso area have failed and it is clear that the PLA definitely suffered more killed than Indians in the Galwan clash on the night of June 15-16.
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September 5, 2020
Atal Tunnel across Rohtang and More
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Over the next few weeks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the nine kilometer long Atal Tunnel. Named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in a tribute to him on his 95th birth anniversary...
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September 5, 2020
Indigenous Truck Mounted Gun System (MGS)
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Indian Army needs some 4,500 howitzer guns for defending the country against China and Pakistan. First attempts of indigenisation by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) began in 2004 for upgrading the barrel of the original Bofors gun from 155x39mm caliber to 155x45mm but the attempt could not materialise at that time.
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September 5, 2020
Super Swarm Drones
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)It was reported in these columns that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has provided ‘Bharat’ surveillance drones’ produces by the Chandigarh-based Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) to the troops engaged in a standoff with China in Eastern Ladakh.
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September 2, 2020
The Inevitable Clash
By Lt. General R.K. Jagga (Retd)Don’t try to please a bully, it will only make him bolder! The Chinese Dragon continues to dance along the LAC turning belligerent militarily and trying to slice off parts of Indian territory with its “Salami Slicing” tactics. India needs to gain insight into the adversary’s mind to counter it and evolve sound pre-emptive policies.
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August 24, 2020
Aatmanirbhar Reset 2.0
By Lt. General R.K. Jagga (Retd)Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a clarion call to use these trying times to become Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant). Defence Manufacturing in India has huge potential and can bring a transformative change, but is the industry ready to rise up to challenges and uncover the opportunities therein.
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August 20, 2020
Modi-Abe Summit Coming Up
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The India-Japan summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe which got postponed last year is scheduled for early next month, the tentative date for which according to sources is September 10.
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August 20, 2020
Riyadh Delivers a Kick to Pakistan
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Behind Pakistan’s obsession with Kashmir is the Pakistani army’s aim to continue ruling the country indirectly and stay in power, raking in millions in the process. The civilian governments are puppets of the army.
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August 20, 2020
The Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP) Threat
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On August 1, 2020, a post on Twitter appeared purportedly from Global Times of China quoting Qien Huayo source that read, “Chinese Helicopter shot down by unknown Indian EMP burst, 7 killed”. It is not known if the tweet was genuine or fake but it was deleted after a short time.
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August 20, 2020
India’s Infrastructure Push in Maldives
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Located about 600 km off the southwest coast of India and 750 km southwest of Sri Lanka, Maldives consists of a double chain of 26 atolls spread over 90,000 sq km of territory.
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August 7, 2020
Disengagement or Deceit Again
By Lt. General J.K. Sharma (Retd)Throughout their history, China has had brutal conflicts with their neighbours and time and again it has been proven that they cannot be trusted.
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August 7, 2020
China-Pakistan Collusive Threat
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)News reports of July 22 cited Defence Minister Rajnath Singh having asked the Armed Forces to be prepared to respond at short notice as also build and sustain military capabilities to deter any adversary in the long run.
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August 7, 2020
China’s Sakteng Googly
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)In Beijing’s characteristic rotten style, the Chineses representative at the 58th meeting of the Council of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) on June 2-3, 2020 tossed a googly by illegally claiming Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan as Chinese Territory saying that it was “disputed area”.
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August 7, 2020
Defence Production & Export Promotion Policy
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On August 3, 2020 the Ministry of Defence (MoD) relased a draft Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) 2020 whose stated objective is to achieve a turnover of 1,75,000 crores (US$25 billion), including export of 35,000 crores (US$ 5 billion) in aerospace and defence goods and services by 2025.
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August 7, 2020
Bharat Drones
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)News reports of July 22 have revealed that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has provided indigenously-developed drones called 'Bharat' to the Indian Army amid the ongoing boundary tensions at LAC between India and China.
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August 7, 2020
Chinese Consolidation in POK
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)China appeared uncomfortable with completion of India’s Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi (DSDBO) Road in Eastern Ladakh. But it has no compunctions about blatantly undertaking projects in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) which is Indian Territory.
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August 7, 2020
No Dearth of Young Talent
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Saad Nasser, a class five dropout from school in Bengaluru has developed a fully autonomous sub-ton carrying vehicle which is driverless and acts with precision.
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July 29, 2020
Desperate Quad
By Lt. General J.K. Sharma (Retd)An isolated China attempts fortifying alliances in frustration
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July 28, 2020
Inducting New Light Tanks
By Lt. General J.K. Sharma (Retd)The strategic prudence lies in exploiting country’s own bandwidth to equip our armed forces with indigenous light tank which will transmit a far stronger message of indigenously equipped self-reliant nation.
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July 20, 2020
Defence Minister’s Ladakh Visit
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On the first day of his visit to forward areas, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Ladakh on July 17, accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane.
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July 20, 2020
Lessons from Ladakh Standoff
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The norm we follow is to appoint committees after conflict situations whose reports are either buried like Henderson Brooks report of 1962 or lessons forgotten like of Kargil Review Committee.
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July 20, 2020
Infantry Getting Makeover
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)No matter how hi-tech the modern battlefield gets. No matter how powerful the aircrafts, drones and the robots become, mission of the Infantry will continue to close-in and destroy the enemy by close quarter violent combat in any war operation and then physically hold the ground.
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July 20, 2020
Turkey’s Swarm Drones
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)According to Turkish media, Turkey’s Defence Technologies, Engineering and Trade Inc. also known by its Turkish acronym STM, was to deliver over 500 ‘Kargu’ drones to Turkish armed forces on June 15, 2020.
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July 20, 2020
Chinese Specter on India-Iran Relations
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)According to media reports, Iran has decided to exclude India from the 628 km railroad project that links its port in Chabahar to Zahedan on the Afghanistan border, citing delays by the Indian government in funding and starting the project, and has announced that Iran has decided to construct the railway line on its own.
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July 6, 2020
Reading the Tea Leaves —
PM at frontline: Defining National Strategy
By Lt. General J.K. Sharma (Retd)Prime Minister’s personal appearance on the frontline has unequivocally reinforced that entire of Ladakh is Indian Territory and any intrusion and aggression will be met with full might and resolve of the nation. With this the PM has clearly defined the National Strategy.
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July 6, 2020
Defence Minister’s Russia Visit
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Defence Minister Rajnath Singh left for a three-day visit to Russia on June 22 for holding discussions with top Russian military brass and to attend Russia’s Victory Parade at the Red Square on June 24 to commemorate 75th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945.
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July 6, 2020
New Chinese Front in Depsang
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)In the current India-China standoff in Eastern Ladakh, China has once again displayed its strategy of surprise ambiguity and deceit. The surprise aggression was made under the garb of an exercise, followed by a quick move forward.
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July 6, 2020
China’s FATF Shield for Pakistan
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On June 24, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global terror financing watchdog, decided to keep Pakistan in the "Grey List" as it had failed to check flow of money to terror groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).
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July 6, 2020
AK-203 Delayed?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On the day Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was attending Russia’s Victory Parade at Red Square in Moscow on June 24, Indian media broke the news that the joint Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) between the Indian Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and Russian Rosoboronexport and Kalashnikov company has run into pricing problems.
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June 29, 2020
Before & After Galwan
By Lt. General J.K. Sharma (Retd)It is the difference in historical perception, the policy of "Nibble and Occupy" adopted by China and lack of understanding on the part of successive Indian governments since independence of the huge strategic disadvantage of loss of peripheral territory, that has emboldened China to attempt violations with impunity.
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June 18, 2020
India China Stand-off in June 2020
By Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd)The nation needs to be concerned about the overall strategic and economic relations with China which have been in turmoil in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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June 18, 2020
The Galwan Clash
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The news of “at least” 20 Indian soldiers including a Colonel and at least one JCO clubbed to death by the PLA in Galwan on the night of June 15/16 has shocked the nation. Number of injured reportedly were 17.
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June 18, 2020
Revisiting ‘One China’ Policy
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)While the PLA is continuing serious monkey tricks in Eastern Ladakh, the Indian Capital witnessed an interesting webinar titled "Revisiting 'One China' Policy" to explore possible options that India can pursue to send strong messages to Beijing.
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June 18, 2020
Artificial Neural Networks Ionospheric Model (ANNIM)
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Tracking the variability of the Ionosphere is important for communication and navigation. The ionospheric variability is greatly influenced by solar originated processes and the neutral atmosphere origin.
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June 18, 2020
Oli Steering Nepal into China’s Lap
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On June 13, Nepal’s Parliament unanimously passed a new map that shows Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura areas (totaling about 370 sq km) in its territory. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli took this arbitrary decision without discussing the boundary issue with India.
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June 8, 2020
PROGNOSIS
Indo-China Border Talks
By Lt. General R.K. Jagga (Retd)Top Indian and Chinese generals held talks to resolve the high altitude face-off in the Ladakh region between India and China as a result of China's growing military assertiveness
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June 6, 2020
India-Australia Pacts Boost Bonding
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)In a virtual bilateral summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on June 4, India and Australia upgraded...
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June 6, 2020
Gwadar Could Mirror PLAN’s Djibouti Base
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Djibouti, in the Horn of Africa, is China’s first overseas military base operated by Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Built at a cost of $590 million in 2017, it is strategically situated in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait which separates the Gulf of Aden from the Red Sea and guards the approaches to Suez Canal.
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June 6, 2020
Taliban-Al Qaeda Links Sustained
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)A report by the United Nations released on June 2, 2020 has confirmed that the Taliban in Afghanistan still maintains close relations with the terror network of Al Qaida despite having signed a peace deal with the US on February 29, 2020, agreeing to tackle militant groups.
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June 6, 2020
Upgraded Infantry Combat Vehicle ‘Sarath’
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On June 2, 2020, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) placed an order on the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) for 156 upgraded Russian-origin BMP-2/2k Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICVs) ‘Sarath’ for use by Indian Army’s (IA) mechanised forces at the cost of 1,094 crore ($145 million).
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May 30, 2020
Way Ahead for the Indian Armed Forces
By Lt. General R.K. Jagga (Retd)The threat of the virus is all-pervasive and to ensure Force Protection, an essential towards operational readiness, the Armed Forces have issued exhaustive instructions/guidelines
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May 29, 2020
Indo-Chinese Conundrum
By Lt. General R.K. Jagga (Retd)India is witnessing its worst-ever border tensions with China since 1962 with both countries bringing forward thousands of troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. Is this mere Sabre rattling by China or will it result in a larger conflict between India and China?
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May 29, 2020
India-China Stand Off“The present situation is that we will win in Malacca and loose at Dhoklam.”
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May 28, 2020
New Direction in Defence Production and Procurement
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Delivering the fourth tranche of the economic package in wake of COVID-19 in a press briefing on May 16, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced three major decision related to defence which will have far reaching effect in boosting the defence sector
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May 28, 2020
Modernisation of Military Airfields
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Media reports of May 8, 2020 quoting official sources disclosed that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a 1,200 crore ($160 million) contract with Indian company Tata Power SED for the second phase of the military infrastructure modernisation programme to cover 37 of the IAF, Indian Navy and Coast Guard airfields.
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May 28, 2020
Nepal Turns Chinese Proxy
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)In a show of open defiance to India, Nepal has unveiled a new political map in which the Indian areas of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani are shown within Nepal.
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May 28, 2020
China Muscle Flexing Along LAC
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On May 5, PLA resorted to aggression indulging in physical fight with Indian troops in vicinity ofPangong Tso lake in Ladakh. It may be recalled that PLA had resorted to stone-pelting and attacking an Indian patrol with rods and sticks in same area on August 15, 2017.
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May 10, 2020
Boosting Jihad
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Despite the spurt in terror attacks, cross border violations and infiltration attempts by Pakistani terrorists, bodies of killed terrorists continued to be handed over to relatives for burial, providing a platform for anti-establishment propaganda.
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May 10, 2020
Kulbhushan Jadhav – Pakistan Stays Defiant
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Harish Salve, India's counsel for Kulbhushan Jadhav has said that India may have to back to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to get direction as Pakistan has failed to act on the court's directions to give consular access to him.
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May 10, 2020
Gilgit-Baltistan – More Pakistani Mischief
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)In an effort to showcase to the world its control over its illegal occupation of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), Pakistan has made another mischievous move. In a recent ruling, the Pakistan Supreme Court allowed the government to amend a 2018 administrative order to conduct general elections in the region.
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May 10, 2020
Defence MSMEs
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)As India battles the scourge of COVID-19, the prospects of economic growth have begun to lookbleak. Among various forecasts, Moody is predicting a zero per cent growth.
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May 10, 2020
HM commander Riyaz Naikoo Killed
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Riyaz Naikoo, chief of Hijbul Mujahideen (HM) was killed on May 6 during an anti-terrorist operation conducted by the Army and J&K Police in the Beighpura area of Pulwama district. A second terrorist, believed to be an accomplice of Naikoo, was also killed in the encounter.
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April 26, 2020
Drones and Robots in Pandemics
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)As the world battles COVID-19, technology has thrown up apps, robots, drones and chatbots to help humanity. Indian startups flooded the National Security Advisory Board offering hundreds of apps.
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April 26, 2020
COVID-19 Terrorism
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Recent intelligence reports had indicated that Pakistan was aggressively moving COVID-19 infected cases to POK and infiltrating them into J&K.
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April 26, 2020
Advancements in Drone and Anti-Drone
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The yesteryears race of mine and anti-mine has long since been overtaken by the race of drone and anti-drone. These technologies are evolving at a terrific pace with newer inventions showing up periodically that have also been reported in these columns from time to time.
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April 26, 2020
Israeli Light Machine Guns are Coming
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India has signed a contract with Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) for importing 16,479 Negev light machine guns (LMGs) to meet a long-standing requirement.
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April 26, 2020
New Terrorist Outfit in J&K
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)A new terrorist organisation calling itself ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF) has cropped up in J&K in wake of the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution.
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April 11, 2020
COVID-19 Biological Weapon
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)At a time when COVID-19 was ravaging multiple countries with deaths and infections multiplying every second, cities/regions/nations locked down, economies shattered and unemployment going berserk – in effect de-stabilising the world...
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April 11, 2020
Kabul Gurdwara Attack – Pakistan Nailed
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The dastardly attack by four terrorist on the Gurdwara in Kabul on March 25, 2020 killed 27 Sikhs and a follow up bomb blast close to the crematorium where the dead were being cremated caused injuries to some.
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April 11, 2020
Army Spectrum Network
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Indian multinational giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T) engaged in technology, engineering, construction, manufacturing and financial services operating in over 30 countries has disclosed on April 7, 2020 that it has bagged a large order from the Indian Army for establishing a first-of-its-kind...
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April 11, 2020
Another Major Maoist Ambush
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Amidst speculation that that the Maoist insurgency is dying down, Maoists struck a major blow by ambushing security forces on March 21 near Minpa Forest of Kasalapad area of Sukma District.
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March 21, 2020
J&K - Political Dynamics and Normalisation
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On March 8, 2020, Altaf Bukhari, former MLA from the J&K Peoples Democratic Party, launched a new political party called ‘J&K Apni Party’ (JKAP).
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March 21, 2020
Counter-Drone Drone
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)It has been covered in these columns that an indigenous Anti-Drone System developed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation...
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March 21, 2020
Loitering Munitions
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)In 2016, US Companies were looking to market the Hero-30 loitering munition to the US military. Hero-30 is a man-portable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone designed for about 30 minutes loiter with a 0.5 kg warhead.
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March 21, 2020
Defence Procurement Procedure 2020
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Releasing the Draft Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2020, on March 20 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “Our aim is to make India self-reliant and a global manufacturing hub...
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March 21, 2020
Indigenous Combat Robots
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)During DefExpo 2020 held in February this year, Indian Start-up Company, Defence Master India Pvt Ltd, displayed ‘Sooran’, an indigenous combat robot...
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March 9, 2020
US-Taliban Deal – Trump's Compulsion
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Signing of the US-Taliban deal by US Special Representative Zalmay Khalizad and Mullah Abdul Gani Baradar on behalf of Taliban at Doha, Qatar on February 29 had all the trappings of a mega show.
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March 9, 2020
Exporting SWATHI
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India has bagged a deal over Russia and Poland to supply 4 x Swathi Weapon Locating Radars to Armenia at a cost of $40 million. This is good news.
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March 9, 2020
China's Combat Robots
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The use of robots in warfare, which earlier was a topic for science fiction, is increasingly being researched to fight future wars.
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March 9, 2020
Beijing's Compulsive Proliferation
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On February 3, 2020, a Chinese Ship 'Dai Cui Yun' was detained by Customs at Kandla Port on basis of an intelligence tip off.
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March 9, 2020
Structure of Department of Military Affairs (DMA)
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Structure of the newly established Department of Military Affairs (DMA) in the Ministry of Defence (MoD), with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) heading it as Secretary DMA, has come up with the news of its organisation released through the media in installments.
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February 26, 2020
Visit of President Donald Trump
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)US President Donald Trump's maiden visit to India witnessed Indo-US Strategic Partnership transit into 'Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership'.
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February 26, 2020
LUH to replace Cheetahs/Chetaks
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)There is good news in the offing on the indigenous helicopter front. On February 7, 2020 the Light Utility Helicopter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited obtained the initial clearance from the DRDO paving the way for its production.
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February 26, 2020
Indigenous Anti-Drone System
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)An indigenous Anti-Drone System developed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) was successfully tested on February 21, 2020 in destroying a drone.
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February 26, 2020
Air Defence and Delhi's Missile Shield
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)It was mentioned in these columns recently that India-Russia negotiations are underway for the supply of IGLA-S man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems (MANPADS), contract is likely to be concluded by end 2020...
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February 26, 2020
Pakistan Escapes FATF 'Black List'
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On February 20, 2020, last day of its five-day meeting to review Pakistan's progress towards the implementation of its 27-point action plan...
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February 10, 2020
Defence Budget 2020-2021
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Presenting the budget for FY 2020-2021 in Parliament on February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman did not mention defence at all, which isn't surprising given her attitude towards the Armed Forces.
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February 10, 2020
Bodo Accord Bodes Peace
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Bodo Accord signed between the Government of India and Bodos on January 23, 2020 is a significant step that would contribute greatly towards ushering peace in the turbulent northeast.
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February 10, 2020
The Specter of PFI
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The ugly face of the Popular Front of India (PFI) causing arson and deaths in the recent riots in Uttar Pradesh has been established, as also for anti-CAA protests in Delhi.
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February 10, 2020
Indigenous K-4 and Pranash Missiles
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On January 19, 2020 India successfully tested the indigenous K-4 missile of Vizag coast. K-4 is a nuclear capable Intermediate-range submarine-launched ballistic missile developed by the DRDO to arm the Arihant-class submarines.
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February 10, 2020
Snubbed Pakistan Remains Impervious
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo while launching the 27-nation International Religious Freedom Alliance on February 5, 2020 commented...
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February 10, 2020
IGLA-S Man-portable AD System (MANPADS)
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)According to an official representative of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), contracts are under negotiation to supply India with Russian-made IGLA-S man-portable air defence missiles and to organise their production on Indian soil.
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January 20, 2020
Defence Budget – Now and Next
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)India's defence budget for 2019-20 stands at 3.18 lakh crore. This included a capital outlay of just 1,03,394 crore that is not enough to upgrade capabilities and more money is required to avoid a funding crisis.
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January 20, 2020
China Snubbed at UNSC
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)China shamelessly made a third attempt to raise the Kashmir issue at the UN this month on behalf of protégé Pakistan. In August 2019, China had pushed for a UNSC meeting on Kashmir after the special status granted to J&K under Article 370 of the Constitution was scrapped by Government of India and the state was divided into two union territories.
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Issue: 6 / 2019
'Make in India': A Catalyst to Strategic Autonomy
By Lt General Abhay Krishna (Retd)If India looks to retain strategic autonomy without binding alliance then India has no option but to become a regional dominant power. Current push of the Government towards indigenous defence production is a welcome step towards self-sustainable technological advancements and economic growth and it needs to be taken forward.
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January 4, 2020
India's First CDS – what should be the priorities
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Speaking to reporters India's first CDS General Bipin Rawat has said, "As per the task given to the CDS we have to enhance integration and do better resource management.
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January 4, 2020
Key Priorities for New Army Chief
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Soon after taking over as the new Chief of Army Staff, General M.M. Naravane warned Pakistan to desist from sponsoring terrorism, saying, "We have evolved a strategy of resolute punitive response against sponsored terrorism.
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January 4, 2020
Upgraded Pinaka Rocket System
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On December 19-20, 2019, the upgraded version of Pinaka guided rocket system was successfully test-fired to a range of 90 km from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the Odisha coast.
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January 4, 2020
Chabahar-Zahedan Rail Link
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Iran last month, December 2019, and met Iranian President on December 23.
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January 4, 2020
Indigenous QRSAM
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The indigenous Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile System (QRSAM) developed by the DRDO was successfully flight tested on December 23, 2019 from the Integrated Test Range in Odisha's Chandipur.
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January 4, 2020
India-China Boundary Talks
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Wang Yi, China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Special Representatives of India and China respectively met on December 21, 2019 at Agra for the 22nd round of talks aimed at a border settlement.
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December 23, 2019
Indo-US 2+2 Dialogue
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)December 18, 2019 saw the Indo-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue at Washington DC; External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh from India and the US side represented by Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Defence Mark T. Esper.
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December 23, 2019
India-Australia 2+2 Dialogue
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The third edition of India-Australia Foreign and Defence Secretaries' Dialogue (2+2) was held on December 9, 2019, in New Delhi. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar led the Indian delegation for 2+2, while the Australian delegation was led by Frances Adamson...
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December 23, 2019
Akash Missile System – Dismal Saga
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The 'Akash' missile indigenously produced by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is in the news again for the wrong reasons.
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December 23, 2019
New Assault Rifles after 15 years
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Media reports of December 14 indicate that soldiers deployed on the borders with Pakistan and China have finally started receiving new assault rifles after a wait of almost 15 years.
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December 5, 2019
Visit of Sri Lankan President
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The two-day state visit of Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to India commencing November 29, his first foreign visit after assuming presidency, has signaled a new beginning, contours of which will unfold in coming months.
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December 5, 2019
Indigenous Bullet Proof Jackets
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On October 18, 2019, Major General Anil Oberoi (Retd) of SMPP Pvt Ltd told media that 40,000 bullet proof jackets have been supplied to the Indian Army (IA) for its troops carrying out anti-terror operations in the Kashmir valley.
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December 5, 2019
M777 Howitzers under 'Make in India'
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Media reports of November 18 indicate that the first regiment of ultra-light howitzers in the Artillery will include three locally built howitzers in collaboration with Mahindra Defence, under the ‘Make in India’ initiative in addition to 15 x BAE M777 howitzers imported from the US in ready condition.
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December 5, 2019
Boost for Defence Startups
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Speaking at the ‘Defence Connect’ seminar on November 11, 2019, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “Looking at the talent India possesses, I am pretty confident that we can become a $10 trillion economy in the next 10-15 years”.
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November 15, 2019
Defence Minister’s Russia Visit
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Moscow on November 5 for a three day visit to Russia. This was his first visit to Moscow as Defence Minister.
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November 15, 2019
IA Cadre Restructuring
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The Indian Army (IA) is undergoing cadre restructuring. As per media, two officers per battalion are being reduced, totaling up to overall reduction of some 4,500 officers.
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November 15, 2019
‘Tiger Triumph’ and ‘Sindhu Sudarshan-VII’ kick off
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Two prominent military exercises kicked off back to back on November 13. ‘Tiger Triumph’, the Indo-US tri-services exercise under aegis of HQ Integrated commenced on India’s eastern seaboard, in the Bay of Bengal and will continue till November 21.
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November 15, 2019
Anti-Drone Urgency
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Despite the Kartarpur Corridor having become operational, Pakistan’s hate-India campaign shows no signs of abating. This is not surprising because this is the very basis for the Pakistan army to maintain complete control over the country...
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November 4, 2019
Sri Lanka Elections – Beijing's Gain?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Next elections are scheduled in Sri Lanka on November 16. President Sirisena is not contesting. He had caused a constitutional crisis last year by sacking Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe replacing him with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
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November 4, 2019
NSCN (K) Specter on Naga Talks
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)As the government deadline of October 31, 2019 for final settlement to the Naga dispute approached, talks with the NSCN (IM) by the government side headed by Nagaland Governor R.N. Ravi was undergoing a difficult inconclusive phase.
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November 4, 2019
Army Uses M982 Excalibur Ammunition
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)On October 20, 2019, Indian Army (IA) for the first time used the 155mm M982 Excalibur artillery rounds against Pakistani positions and terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC).
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November 4, 2019
Siachen Tourism
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)The government has decided to open Siachen to the tourists. Inaugurating the Colonel Chewang Rinchen Bridge on Shyok River in Eastern Ladakh about 45 km from the China border on October 21, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that the Siachen area, the world's highest battlefield, is now open to tourists.
