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Group Captain (Retd.) Ajey Lele is Senior Fellow in the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses and heads its Centre on Strategic Technologies. He started his professional career as an officer in the Indian Air Force in 1987 and took early retirement from the service to pursue his academic interests. He has a Masters degree in Physics from Pune University, and Masters and MPhil degrees in Defence and Strategic Studies from Madras University. He has done his doctorate from the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi.His specific areas of research include issues related to Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), Space Security and Strategic Technologies. He has contributed articles to various national and international journals, websites and newspapers. He has authored six books and has also has been an editor for six books. He is a recipient of K. Subrahmanyam Award (2013) which is conferred for outstanding contribution in the area of strategic and security studies.
Preventing Chemical Weapons: Arms Control and Disarmament as the Sciences Converge
This 652-page book has six main sections and in total 21 chapters, including the introduction and conclusion. The basic themes discussed in the book include the prevention and disarmament issues related to the Chemical and Biological Weapons and the possible role for arms control, the ongoing advancements taking place in the field of chemistry and biology and the role of civil society to address various challenges posed by such weapons.
Once Ready, ISRO’s SSLV Rockets Will Enhance India’s Strategic Capabilities
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Gp Capt Ajey Lele’s article on SSLV rockets, titled ‘Once Ready, ISRO’s SSLV Rockets Will Enhance India’s Strategic Capabilities’ was published in Strategic News International on February 08, 2019.
Debating Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems
Technology and the armed forces have a symbiotic relationship. Many technologies which are presently used in day-to-day life, like the Internet or navigation systems (global positioning system [GPS]), actually have a link to, or are derived from, military innovations. Artificial intelligence (AI) is one arena of present generation technology that militaries have been developing mainly for two purposes: first, for juxtaposing it on their existing defence architecture for its performance enhancement; and second, for developing new types of militarily instruments and weapon systems.
Disruptive Technologies for the Militaries and Security
Chemical Weapons Convention: Past, Present and Future
The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is an arms control treaty that outlaws the production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons and their precursors. This convention came into force on 29 April 1997. This convention is the effort of some 20 years of negotiations at the Conference of Disarmament (CD).
Why countries across the world trust ISRO to launch their satellites into space
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Gp Capt Ajey Lele’s article on the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), titled ‘Why countries across the world trust ISRO to launch their satellites into space’ was published in ‘Daily O’ on September 22, 2018.
According to the Gp Capt Lele, ISRO is fast becoming a powerful vehicle of India’s soft power.
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Is ISRO Up for PM Modi’s ‘Indian in Space’ Challenge Without Cutting Corners?
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Gp Capt Ajey Lele’s article on Prime Minister Modi’s ambitious plan to send the first Indian human to the space on Indian spacecraft, titled ‘Is ISRO Up for PM Modi’s ‘Indian in Space’ Challenge Without Cutting Corners?’ was published by News 18, on August 18, 2018.
The article suggests that it remains to be seen if PM Modi’s plan is ambitious, as well as pragmatic. However, at this point in time, some broad assessment could be made to appreciate the feasibility for this mission.
TRAI chief RS Sharma's Aadhaar debacle should be a learning experience for all
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Gp Capt Ajey Lele’s article on cyber security, titled ‘TRAI chief RS Sharma's Aadhaar debacle should be a learning experience for all’ was published in ‘Daily O’ on August 01, 2018.
There is a considered view that cyber security is actually a myth and anything and everything which operates on the system of ‘zeros and ones’ is hackable, reads the article.
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The Truth about Chemical Attack in Syria
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Gp Capt Ajey Lele’s article on chemical attack in Syria, titled ‘The Truth About Chemical Attack in Syria’ was published in the June 2018 edition of Defence and Security Alert.
The article traces the logic behind the chemical attack in Syria.
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Ajey Lele’s Article on US Move to Cancel North Korea Summit Published in Daily O
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Gp Capt Ajey Lele’s article on US move to cancel the North Korea Summit, titled ‘Implications of Donald Trump cancelling North Korea summit with Kim Jong-un’ was published in ‘Daily O’ on May 5, 2018.
The article analyses the US president’s decision and argues that he must understand that at times diplomacy is also about losing a battle to win a war.
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