In January 2020, General Bipin Rawat became the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Indian Armed Forces. However, his tenure was tragically cut short by a helicopter crash in December 2021. The position remained vacant for almost nine months until General Anil Chauhan took over. Why did it take so long to fill the CDS position after General Rawat's passing? Was there genuine effort to reach political consensus earlier? There were also concerns whether the CDS post was created solely for General Rawat, believed to be a favorite of the Modi government. Has the CDS role achieved anything substantial? What was the dream when the post was conceptualised and where do we stand now? Host Dev Goswami and defense expert Shiv Aroor delve into the history of the CDS position, tracing it back to the Kargil war. The Kargil review committee, formed in 1999, recommended the CDS position due to evident lack of coordination between the army and air force during the conflict. But, are India's armed forces truly 'joint' despite the creation of the CDS role in 2019? The duo also reflects on General Rawat's legacy, marked by controversies like his remarks classifying the Air Force as a 'support arm’, in an India Today interview. Does this hint at deeper divisions within the military? Examining progress towards synergy among the armed forces, they ponder whether India is truly advancing in jointmanship or still grappling with turf wars and egos, exemplified by debates over HAL Prachand helicopters. Listen in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound mix by Nitin Rawat

Indian army chiefs have consistently emphasised the sensitivity of the India-China situation for the past four years. What is the current ground situation, and why is it unfavorable for India with the looming Chinese threat? Host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor delve into these questions in this episode. Numerous reports have been of Chinese "spy ships" in the Indian Ocean region. What defines these "spy ships," and why isn't India's response widely discussed in the media, considering other countries also deploy research vessels for strategic purposes? And why is there concern without specific laws prohibiting Chinese "research vessels" from conducting surveillance activities? Are there noticeable changes happening at the tactical level? One significant advantage India holds over China is its extensive knowledge of the Indian Ocean's geography, including depths, water intensity, and temperature, crucial for submarine warfare. But, China excels in submarine capabilities, posing a challenge for India. The duo also discusses reasons for the Indian establishment's shift from focusing on Pakistan to now China over the past decade or so. What does this denote, and how did India reach this point? Listen in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

We live in an age where drones are everywhere. In this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor delve into the world of UAVs or UAS, commonly known as drones. These unmanned air systems have played pivotal roles in global events, from the U.S. war on terror to conflicts in Ukraine, Israel-Hamas, and Azerbaijan-Armenia. Despite their ubiquitous presence, popular culture and mainstream defense writing lag in portraying the significance of these non-human aircraft. Why? While India boasts a list of domestically manufactured drones, none are currently in service. The discussion delves into the reasons behind India's delayed adoption and the increasing involvement of private companies in the drone ecosystem. The duo also contemplates the potential takeover of drones by AI, about the elimination of the human loop and the future of drone warfare. What game-changing effects drones can have in military operations? What are the challenges faced by the military in drone usage, including concerns about proliferation and security threats from terrorists and non-state actors. The ultimate question remains: Is drone warfare here to stay, and how will it shape the landscape of future conflicts? Tune in to listen! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

In this Republic Day special, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor analyse the delayed progress of PM Modi's 'Atmanirbharta' in defence. Why the prolonged wait? What's the stark reality we must confront? Why are we still dependent on Russian equipment even now? Why is self-reliance a painful birthing process? The episode starts with reflections on the Republic Day fanfare, notably the annual parade at Kartavyapath. Amidst the grand spectacle, critics question the hefty costs. Is there a valid place for the R-Day parade in modern India? Shiv disapproves of the display of weaponry, citing the irony of India being a major arms importer while reiterating the urgency for self-reliance in defence equipment. The duo also takes us through the history of India's quest for self-reliance. Why is it not a happy story? Why has India faltered despite having huge needs for military equipment? Was it because of political reluctance to go into having a weapons industry? And why do HAL, DRDO and various other organisations still need more accountability and cohesion? What's the stranglehold of government bodies on defence production? And where do the private companies stand in the midst of this? Finally, what pulls and pressures are required to be fully Atmanirbhar? Well, not everything is gloomy, though. While India remains one of the biggest weapons importers, it has made excellent strides in the last decade. What are those? Tune in to listen! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

The Middle East, also referred to as West Asia, is on fire. In the three months since the Gaza-based terrorist group Hamas launched a dastardly attack on Israel, events in the region have started resembling a 'World War' but perhaps not in the sense that we understand the term. On Episode 7 of In Our Defence, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor break down the goings on in the Middle East, starting with the Iranian air strikes into "terrorist" camps in neighbouring Pakistan. While not directly linked to the Israel-Hamas war, what do the attacks tell us about the relationship between Iran and Pakistan? Also, with Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacking ships in the Red Sea, prompting the United States to intervene, and the Hezbollah, another Iranian proxies, engaged in a limited conflicts with Israel, is Iran fast emerging as the world's trouble-maker-in-chief? Also, what do the Iranian strikes tell us about the military setup in Pakistan, a country that is economically on its knees? And finally, with the world in the midst of two wars - Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine - that have dragged in other countries in some form or the other, how close is the threat of an all-out global conflict and, more worryingly, a nuclear war? Dev and Shiv discuss this and much more. Tune in to the latest episode of In Our Defence. Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

The 2019 Balakot airstrike was a significant military operation conducted by the Indian Air Force in response to the Pulwama terrorist attack. This marked the first time since the 1971 War that Indian aircraft had conducted an airstrike on Pakistani soil. The strike targeted a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot, Pakistan. The Indian Mirage-2000 fighter pilots carried out the airstrike, aiming to eliminate terrorist threats. The following day, the Pakistan Air Force retaliated with a strike in the Rajouri sector of Jammu. In the ensuing aerial battle, India claimed to have shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter aircraft while losing a MiG-21, with its Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman captured after ejecting over Pakistani-held territory. Later, he was repatriated. The aftermath of the airstrike saw controversies, including unverified news in the newsrooms and conflicting reports. The duo, Dev Goswami and Shiv Aroor recount their experiences covering the event. They discuss the preparations for the airstrike and the controversies surrounding the strike; for one, the Indian Air Force has confirmed "hitting targets," but there is no official estimation of casualties — if any — yet, and Pakistan's response, exploring claims that they intentionally missed targets in India to avoid escalating to an all-out war. Shiv Aroor and co-author Rahul Singh have also covered the detailed account of the Balakot airstrike, including planning, execution, and aftermath in their book 'India's Most Fearless.' Listen in as we bring you the inside and unearthed details of the two tense days! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

In 2024, India's focus on strengthening its air power centers around the Tejas, its indigenous fighter aircraft. The Defence Ministry's approval for acquiring 97 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk 1A marks a significant step in bolstering the Indian Air Force's capabilities. With just two Tejas squadrons currently in operation, the Air Force faces the challenge of maintaining its strength at 31 squadrons, well below the standard requirement of 42. In a discussion between India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor Shiv Aroor and host Dev Goswami, the implications of this shortfall are explored. Why is the benchmark of 42 squadrons crucial, and what hurdles arise from not meeting this target? What are the reasons behind India's reliance on foreign aircraft? Shiv questions the over-reliance on foreign fighters, and having eight different types of aircraft, labeling it a "zoo" and a "beauty contest" of aircraft. Why is managing eight different aircraft types a challenging nightmare? Listen in to know why Shiv believes that Built-in-India is a fig leaf, why it has not worked for India at all, and what Made-in- India fighters of foreign origin actually mean for the Indian exchequer. Listen in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

In this episode, India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor Shiv Aroor and host Dev Goswami explore the complexities of Jammu and Kashmir, focusing on the volatile districts of Rajouri and Poonch. They analyze a recent deadly ambush in Poonch that claimed the lives of four Indian Army jawans and the mysterious deaths of three civilians in Baffliaz, allegedly due to torture during Army questioning. What makes Rajouri-Poonch, situated near the Line of Control, such a contentious flashpoint? Is the region's proximity to the border a key contributing factor to the volatility? Shiv, drawing on his 20 years of experience and yearly visits to Kashmir, explains how the region's terrain provides terrorists with a vantage point, making it susceptible to violence. Despite incidents, there's another side—post the abrogation of Article 370, the region has seen reduced violations, leading to a four-fold increase in tourism in 2022 according to government data. However, recurring incidents like the recent ambush raise concerns. Has peace and normalcy genuinely returned to the region? Are the youth truly disenchanted with the military, considering the decrease in militant recruits in 2023? The duo digs into these details. Listen in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

Dawood Ibrahim, the notorious figure behind the 1993 Mumbai blasts, is once again in the spotlight amid claims of being poisoned. Designated a global terrorist in 2003 by both India and the United States, Ibrahim carries a staggering $25 million bounty on his head due to his alleged orchestration of the 1993 Bombay bombings and involvement in various crimes such as extortion, murder, and smuggling. Although rumours abound regarding his alleged poisoning and subsequent hospitalisation, reliable intelligence sources have discredited these claims. But why does news about Dawood remain palatable to India? And how much of a threat is he actually to India? It's been over four decades since he went into hiding, morphing into a shadowy figure. Does his ability to evade authorities raise questions about the failure of India's security apparatus and the potential mesh of corruption behind his rise? And what are the practical difficulties in actually ‘poisoning’ Dawood? India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor Shiv Aroor and host Dev Goswami discuss. Listen in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

In this episode, India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor Shiv Aroor joins host Dev Goswami to discuss a speculative yet intriguing topic – the mysterious deaths of individuals predominantly linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed or Lashkar-e-Taiba, deemed as anti-India elements, occurring in locations like Canada, the UK, and predominantly in Pakistan. The most controversial case being that of Hardeep Singh Nijjar,  a Sikh separatist leader and Canadian citizen. Canada PM Trudeau made a series of claims that alleged the involvement of Indian government agents in his killing. In another case, the U.S. Department of Justice has indicted a senior Indian government intelligence official for allegedly plotting the assassination of U.S. citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. The deaths, often attributed to unidentified gunmen, have raised eyebrows and conspiracy theories, with questions such as: Does India have a covert hit squad, efficiently eliminating threats without detection? Is there a discernible pattern to the deaths, and what is the rationale behind these covert operations? What is the modus operandi of India's R&AW agency, and can we decipher the truth behind these covert missions?  Amidst the murky details, the hosts explore patterns, plausible explanations, and the historical context of India's covert operations. Listen in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh