Rajiv Kumar Narang

In the ongoing US–Israel–Iran war, drones created multiple operational options for Iran.

• Rajiv Kumar Narang |
• April 02, 2026 |
• West Asia War Analyses

In the ongoing US–Israel–Iran war, drones created multiple operational options for Iran.

• Rajiv Kumar Narang |
• April 02, 2026 |
• IDSA Comments

This monograph deliberates on reforms for achieving self-reliance in naval aviation. Indian Navy (IN) is at the cusp of transforming from a ‘buyers navy’ to a ‘builder navy’ in ship and submarine building; however, self-reliance in aviation remains a missing link. IN’s withdrawal from LCA Mk-1 (Navy), LCA Mk-2 (Navy), non-approval of TEDBF and lack of participation of IN in Naval AMCA has brought its Carrier Based Fighter (CBF) program to a stalemate. The incoherences in the self-reliance trajectory of CBF extends to Maritime Reconnaissance (MR), Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft, helicopters and UAVs. The structures, policies and initiatives need re-orientation/ reforms for naval aviation self-reliance. The proposed apex level structural and execution level policy reforms are aimed at bringing synergy, accountability and expediting decision making. Also, elevating naval aviation self-reliance trajectory from subsystems level to platform and systems level development initiatives can be a stimulant for change. In addition, measures for mitigating aero engine vulnerabilities, scientific mechanism for Indigenous Content (IC) validation, factoring impact of ToT and imports, and spiral development approach are essential prerequisites for Atmanirbharta in Indian Naval Aviation.

• Rajiv Kumar Narang |
• 2026 |
• Monograph

Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp Capt (Dr) RK Narang’s article ‘Make & Build in India: Self-reliance in Aero-engines through Safran Deal will help bypass delays’ has been published in the October 2025 edition of the Force Magazine. India needs to create its own design, testing and validation infrastructure to develop wide variety of turbojet, turbofan, turboshaft and turboprop aero engines as power plant for its fighter, transport and trainer aircraft, helicopter and UAV development projects. Currently, most of these programmes remain dependent on either import or on foreign technologies, says Gp Capt Narang. Read Complete Article [+]

Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp Capt (Dr) RK Narang’s paper ‘Integration of Small Drones for Effective Border Management by India’ was published in ‘SEEMANTA 2025’, a Souvenir Publication on the occasion of Assam State Annual Conference on ‘Assam State Convention 2025’, held at Guwahati, Assam on 26-27 July 2025. Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India. Read Complete Article [PDF]

Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp Capt RK Narang’s article ‘India’s Naval Fighter Stalemate Threatens Atmanirbharta’ has been published in Bharat Shakti on 18 August 2025. Limited induction of the LCA Mk-1 (Navy), coupled with the Navy joining development of a naval AMCA, is essential to maintain the trajectory of self-reliance in naval aviation technologies and to prepare for the emerging strategic environment, says Gp Capt (Dr) Narang. Read Complete Article [+] Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India.

Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp Capt (Dr) RK Narang’s article ‘Drones in Operation Sindoor’ was published in the May 2025 issue of Rotor India Magazine.

Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp Capt (Dr) RK Narang’s article ‘What The Region’s First Drone Warfare Taught Us’ has been published in The New Indian Express on 13 May 2025.

The first drone fights in the neighbourhood highlighted the prowess of India’s indigenous weapons programme. It also pointed to a few other inductions that might help in the future. The focus needs to be on atmanirbharta, sasy GP Capt Narang

Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp Capt (Dr) RK Narang’s article ‘Integrated Power’ has been published in the May 18, 2025 edition of ‘The Week’.

Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp Capt (Dr) RK Narang VM (Retd) delivered a talk on ‘Building Industry for Future Aerial Warfare in India’ at the Future Technologies Summit, organised by the International Foundation for Aviation Aero Space and Drones (IFFAAD), at the Indian International Centre (IIC) on 26 February 2025.