The range, speed, armament carrying capacity and the ability to accurately deliver a variety of weapons against different targets make the current IAF fleet of just over 32 squadrons far more formidable than when the IAF had almost 39.5 squadrons.

• Ramesh Phadke
• February 13, 2012
• IDSA Comments

The Rafale’s upkeep and maintenance would demand a very high level of training and skills both by the pilots and technical personnel. Above all, stupid mistakes must be avoided by bringing about a fundamental change in our outlook to peacetime operations.

• Ramesh Phadke
• February 06, 2012
• IDSA Comments

Notwithstanding positive developments over the last decade, certain grey areas in industrial licensing and FDI policy need further improvement to facilitate the private sector’s more meaningful participation in the Indian defence industry.

• Laxman Kumar Behera
• January 27, 2012
• IDSA Comments

International economic circumstances are propitious for India and Indian defence companies to strike deals that would help reduce dependence on foreign sources for defence needs.

• Ramesh Phadke
• November 29, 2011
• IDSA Comments

F-35 is not an ideal choice because of the delay in its developmental schedule, a tight production line, prohibitive cost, India’s own efforts to jointly develop and produce a fifth generation fighter with Russia, and little technological or industrial benefits that would accrue.

• Laxman Kumar Behera
• November 23, 2011
• IDSA Comments

The Dialogue was featured in prime time on the Chinese State-run TV channel, with the comment of the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao that it had achieved “positive results”.

• Mukul Sanwal
• November 17, 2011
• IDSA Comments

An efficient, transparent PPP policy dovetailed with an effective FDI framework will not only ensure that state-of-the-art defence equipment is procured but will also be instrumental in enabling transfer of technology.

• Venu Gopal
• September 05, 2011
• IDSA Comments

Given the sensitivity attached to defence-related FDI, each investment should be subject to wider review and impact analysis following which the FDI percentage could be determined varying between zero and 100 per cent.

• Laxman Kumar Behera
• August 09, 2011
• Policy Brief

The defence budget for 2011-12 has not been unduly impacted by the fiscal consolidation process, and reflects the MoD’s ability to spend resources within the stipulated time.

• Laxman Kumar Behera
• March 07, 2011
• IDSA Comments

Ground reality rather than fiscal prudence should guide the Finance Minister while finalising the defence budget for 2011-12.

• Laxman Kumar Behera
• February 23, 2011
• IDSA Comments