Current Events :
Stating that the quality of airpower will determine victory or defeat in any future fight, Former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Army Training Command, Lt Gen Raj Shukla said that towards this end, it was imperative to integrate manned aircraft with unmanned platforms, space, cyber and electronic warfare (EW) capability.
“In order to achieve air superiority, the adversary kill chains that we have to defeat are very complex. And the instruments to defeat these enemy kill chains are EW, space, cyber, information, dominance, stealth and now AI,” he said while speaking at the Military Literature Festival in Chandigarh on Friday. AI is giving you automated threat detection, automated identification.
“Just look at the electromagnetic spectrum. It consists of radars, stealth, jamming. You have to protect the spectrum and you have to attack it. And this is exactly what happened in Operation Sindoor, which was a resounding victory for India. It was the system level integration which was important,” he said.
Stating that platform level integration was very important, he said that without these “wraparound technologies”, manned aircraft would be of very little utility in modern world. “If we do not invest 50 to 60 per cent of our budget in these wraparound technologies, these piloted platforms will not be very effective,” he said.
“We have to make a decisive push towards system level integration. And therefore, if we are serious about theatre commands, the first two commands which must be given combatant command status and upgraded are space and cyber. It is so obvious because their capacities they will lubricate air power and everything else,” he said.
Air power, he said, has to play out in theatrised structures, because theatrisation is not about air power. It’s about giving theatre commanders a quasi-diplomatic role, shaping areas beyond you. Theatrisation is a far bigger argument and air power is phenomenally important, he added.
Referring to the air strikes by the Israel and the US on Iran a few months ago, he said that such missions were not possible without stealth, EW and space capabilities. “These are not non-kinetic elements. They are deadlier than kinetic. And when everything comes together, you have the classical dismantling of integrated air defence and command and control nodes.
Pointing out that the missions were led by the F-35 stealth fighters, Lt Gen Shukla said that without stealth capability, you simply cannot operate in contested envelopes. So acquisition of such stealth should be our foremost priority. “Stealth was beating air defence hands down. Stealth, survivability and whatever goes around it, signature management, electronic warfare, tactic techniques and procedures,” he said. “We have to start thinking of long growing stealth. 25 years from now that can strike the Chinese mainland,” he added.
Lt Gen Shukla said that the Chinese have a formidable rocket missile force and our cities are at risk. “Space is supremely important to detect missile launches and we have to develop the capability to intercept ballistic and hypersonic missiles.” He said that we need dedicated military satellites, not just for imagery and communications, but also for EW, for cyber warfare.
Stressing upon the importance of developing India’s maritime prowess to meet the challenges that lie ahead, Admiral Arun Prakash, former chief of Naval Staff said that the Navy was the only force having an advantage over India’s principal adversaries in the Indian Ocean region.
“In my own perception, if there is a two-front war or two-and-a-half-front war, which means a nexus between China and Pakistan, then the best that our gallant Army and very capable Air Force can do is to hold them there, create a stalemate. I doubt if we can go anything beyond that,” he said while speaking at Military Literature Festival in Chandigarh on Saturday.
“But if we look seaward, we have a tremendous advantage over both our adversaries. We dominate the Indian Ocean. We have a capable Navy. And we can certainly do harm, threaten anybody who starts a conflict with us in the waters of the Indian Ocean,” he added.
Stating that we must be more alert about our maritime security, he rued the fact that we do not understand the full implications of maritime power and speak about it lightly just because we have a competent, robust, technologically advanced navy does not mean that we are a maritime power.
“A navy is only a small component of a nation’s maritime power and we have neglected and overlooked it and there is no better example to show our lapses than to look at our neighbour China,” Admiral Prakash said.
About two decades ago the Chinese Communist Party declared that China is going to be a world power, maybe number one by 2049. But they also realised somewhere down the line that before a prerequisite for claiming the status of world power you have to be a maritime power, they were quite clear about it. So they set about becoming a maritime power in a very methodical and deliberate way, he said.
The Admiral pointed out that today, amongst the world’s best 10 ports, seven are Chinese. The Chinese shipbuilding industry is number one in the world. The Chinese navy outnumbers the US navy and the Chinese coast guard is the biggest in the world. China has 5,000 merchant ships out at sea and the Chinese fishing fleet is massive, poaching in our waters. China leads the world in deep sea exploration.
“Unfortunately in all these indices we lag behind,” he remarked. “Our ports are languishing. Our ship building industry, except for warship building is again moribund. Our merchant fleet is very small,” he said.
Admiral Prakash said that for many years, decision makers in Delhi were charged by the Navy as suffering from sea blindness. “The Indian Navy used to receive a miniscule share of the defence budget and the Navy also felt that there was a lack of comprehension of maritime issues amongst the decision makers. Fortunately, things seem to be changing and one can see a glimmer of what may be called maritime awakening amongst our decision makers,” he said.
A remembrance ceremony was organised in Gurdaspur in memory of bravehearts of World War 1 (WW1) from Sarwali village, including Havildar Kala Singh of the 45 Rattray Sikhs (now 3 Sikh Battalion) and Sepoy Hazara Singh of the same battalion on their martyrdom anniversary. The event was also held to mark the 107th Armistice Day of the First World War, during which floral tributes and homage were offered to the martyrs.
Major General Balwinder Singh, VSM (retd), convener, INTACH Punjab, who addressed participant at the event, said the legacy of Sikh soldiers of WWI remained invaluable and intangible heritage of Punjabis. A ceremonial guard was presented by the 4 Sikh (Saragarhi) Battalion of the Sikh Regiment under the command of Subedar Harpreet Singh, representing the Station Commander, Tibri Cantonment, on the occasion.
“The brave soldiers of the Indian Army which was the British Indian Army at the time, who laid down their lives during the war are the priceless heritage of our nation and must always be remembered with reverence. At a time when immigration from Punjab is increasing, youth and all responsible sections of society must rethink and work collectively to shape a better present and future,” said Maj Gen Balwinder Singh.
He also encouraged young people to take full advantage of opportunities for recruitment in the Indian Army and to contribute towards the preservation of Punjab’s cultural and historical heritage.
Kuwar Amritbir Singh, who is also known as the Push-Up Man of India, and has made more than 50 records, also addressed the youth on the occasion asking them to stay away from drugs, participate in sports, and work hard with a clear life goal.
The families of the martyrs were honoured by Major General Balwinder Singh, along with Subedar Harpreet Singh (4 Sikh), Kuwar Amritbir Singh (Push-Up Man of India), educators Sunita Sharma, Manjit Singh Sandhu, Gurinder Singh Mehrok (Executive member, Khalsa College Amritsar Global Alumni Association), and Jagmohan Singh.
About three decades after an IAF Wing Commander was dismissed from service by a general court martial (GCM) on charges of murdering an Army jawan, he was reinstated in service earlier this year after being finally acquitted of all charges by the Supreme Court, but has been denied post-retirement notional promotion to higher ranks on the grounds that he did not meet the eligibility criteria.
“After his dismissal from service based on the conviction in the court martial till his reinstatement in May 2025, the petitioner had not discharged his duties, he had not earned his confidential reports (ACRs) and other qualitative requirement (QR) criteria required for promotion to various posts from Wing Commander to be promoted as Group Captain, thereafter as an Air Commodore, Air Vice Marshal and then as an Air Marshal,” the Armed Forces Tribunal Bench comprising Justice Rajendra Menon and Lt Gen CP Mohanty observed in their order passed recently.
The officer, a fighter pilot, has claimed that the jawan had jumped from his gypsy and tried to run away and in the process fell in a cemented ditch and sustained fatal injuries. The GCM held him guilty and cashiered from service and sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment, which was remitted by the Chief of Air Staff to two years in a civilian prison.
He challenged the GCM proceedings before the Delhi High Court in 1999 and the matter was transferred to the AFT on its formation. The AFT acquitted him of the charges in 2010 after holding that in the absence of evidence, the conviction was not sustainable. The AFT also directed that the officer would be deemed to be in service till the date of his retirement in the present rank and be entitled to pension thereafter.
The Tribunal’s orders were challenged by the Central Government before the Supreme Court, which in November 2024 saw no error in the Tribunal’s judgement and dismissed the government’s appeal. Thereafter orders were issued in May 2025 to reinstate him in service and initiate action for grating him consequential benefits.
Following this, he moved the AFT, contending that since he has been acquitted of all charges, he was entitled to be notionally promoted to the rank of Air Marshal and granted pay, allowances and all other benefits treating him as having superannuated from the post of Air Marshal.
“Admittedly he had not earned his ACRs and other QR criteria required by discharging duties in all these posts and therefor, applying the principle of law based on a judgement of the Delhi High Court, we see no reason to make any indulgence into the matter,” the Bench ruled.
The Bench also pointed out that the earlier orders were for reinstatement in the present rank and pension thereafter, with no orders on back wages. Further, there was nothing on record to indicate that his case for promotion, if any, was denied to him during the disciplinary process against him, and neither as the Supreme Court indicate any direction to grant him consequential benefits of promotion.
The Ex-Central Armed Police Force Personnel Welfare Association, along with the family of the late Ayush Deepak, Deputy Commandant of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, organised a candle march in Jalandhar to express their outrage and grief over his tragic death by suicide. The candle march was held after a press conference which they addressed in Jalandhar.
The Association held a press conference at the Punjab Press Club in Jalandhar today to draw the attention of the public and the government to the tragic suicide of Ayush Deepak, Deputy Commandant of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, who took his own life on October 3, at the ITBP Headquarters in Patiala.
According to information shared by the family, Ayush Deepak had repeatedly attempted to seek help from the Bihar Police for his sister, Jyoti Bharti, who as per his allegations, was tortured in custody by police officers at the Lalmitiya police station in Bhagalpur, Bihar. Despite his appeals, the family alleged, no timely or effective action was taken by the authorities concerned.
Deeply distressed by the humiliation of his sister and his inability to protect her, Deputy Commandant Ayush Deepak took the drastic step. A suicide note reportedly recovered from his residence blames an SHO of the Lalmitiya police station in Bhagalpur, for the tragic decision.
During a press conference, the deceased’s family members, including Jyoti Bharti (the victim), shared their harrowing ordeal. They appealed for immediate justice and accountability against the officials responsible for the harassment and negligence.
Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir is likely to assume the newly created role of Chief of Defence Forces as part of Pakistan’s proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, Dawn reported.
Munir’s upcoming promotion follows his elevation as Field Marshal by the Pakistani government, days after the India-Pakistan May conflict. The confrontation had ended after Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) dialled his Indian counterpart with a plea to stop hostilities, after Indian forces peppered Pakistani airbases, damaged and destroyed radar systems, command centres, runways, hangars, and surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, among other critical infrastructure.
The Pakistan federal cabinet approved the draft amendment, which was later tabled in the Senate on Saturday and referred to the National Assembly and Senate standing committees on law and justice for joint review, Dawn reported.
During discussions, according to Dawn, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar clarified that the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) would be abolished from November 27, once the current incumbent’s term ends.
Pakistan’s General Sahir Shamshad Mirza currently holds the office. During his clarification, Tarar referred to Mirza as a “hero” and stated that “Parliament cannot even consider depriving him of the role during his tenure.”
“It will be abolished after his appointment ends,” Tarar said.
He also stated that no new appointments would be made to the position since the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) would assume the role of Chief of Defence Forces, thereby consolidating the top command structure under Munir’s leadership, Dawn added.
The law minister further explained that the bill also formally acknowledges General Munir’s title of Field Marshal, describing it as “a title, not a rank, not an appointment as such.”
He noted that the title is honorary and for life, similar to distinctions like Marshal of the Air Force or Admiral of the Fleet in other countries.
“Where the federal government promotes a member of the armed forces to the rank of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force or Admiral of the Fleet, such officer shall retain the rank, privileges and remain in uniform for life,” the minister added while reading from the bill.
He further said that it was made clear that only Parliament, not the Prime Minister, would have the power to revoke or cancel the title.
According to the Dawn report quoting the law minister, the Prime Minister would not have the authority to revoke or cancel the title of Field Marshal; that power would rest solely with the Pakistani Parliament.
The proposed amendment has also provoked a political debate.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said it supports amendments to Article 243 related to the armed forces but opposes any rollback of provincial autonomy under the 18th Amendment.
The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have also criticised the bill, with PTI calling it an “attack on Parliament”, Dawn reported.
As per Dawn’s report, the joint law committees of both Houses are set to reconvene on Sunday to continue deliberations on the proposed amendment.
The Ministry of Defence plans to double the pace of research and development (R&D) to be carried out by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). R&D is needed to master new technologies for indigenous military equipment. A sum of Rs 32,766 crore is proposed to be spent over the next five years only on R&D. The DPSUs manufacture planes, tanks, helicopters, electronic parts, missiles, artillery guns, ammunition, warships, rifles, radars and sensors.
The matter will be discussed on Monday when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will undertake an annual performance review of the 16 DPSUs. After the review, a compilation of R&D projects carried out in the last 10 years and the plan for the next five years will be released.
In addition, the new R&D Manual of the aviation company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) providing flexibility, speed, risk assessment and allocation in R&D projects will be unveiled.
Over the last 10 years, a total sum of Rs 30,952 crore has been invested in R&D by the 16 DPSUs. All DPSUs have prepared their fresh R&D roadmap for the next five years.
“The pace of R&D is now proposed to be doubled with projected expenditure of Rs 32,766 crore over the next five years,” the MoD said.
The Ministry of Defence said on Saturday that the year 2025 has been declared the ‘Year of Reforms’, underscoring the importance of developing new technology by DPSUs and the need for enhancing exports and indigenisation. The DPSUs have been asked to increase their investment and manpower for R&D.
While most of the R&D investment over the last 10 years was made by older DPSUs, notably HAL, Bharat Electronics Limited, and Bharat Dynamics Limited, the thrust on R&D is now spread across all DPSUs. In the next five years, the seven new DPSUs formed upon corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board will invest over Rs 3,000 crore for R&D, while defence shipyards have planned an investment of over Rs 1,300 crore.
The minister will also release a report on renewable energy titled ‘Swayam’. This report is the first‑ever attempt made under the aegis of the Department of Defence Production to compile the energy‑efficiency practices of all 16 DPSUs.
The performance of DPSUs in 2024‑25 has been commendable, the MoD said. The total turnover stood at Rs 1.08 lakh crore, up 15.4 per cent from that in 2023‑24. The DPSUs recorded a cumulative profit after tax in 2024‑25 of Rs 20,021 crore, registering a growth of 19.5 per cent over the previous year. Remarkably, in 2024‑25, DPSUs achieved an increase of 51 per cent in exports over the previous financial year.
The event will witness felicitation of various DPSUs for their notable achievements in different areas and the exchange of significant MoUs.
Two unidentified infiltrators were killed after security forces foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, officials said on Saturday.
The Army’s Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, in a post on X, said on Friday, based on a specific intelligence input about an infiltration attempt, a joint operation named “Operation Pimple” was launched in the Keran sector of Kupwara.
The Army said “alert troops spotted suspicious activity” and challenged the adversary, prompting the infiltrators to open indiscriminate fire. “Contact was established and terrorists trapped,” the Army said and later confirmed that two terrorists had been neutralised in the ongoing operation.
Army sources said the two slain terrorists had not been identified yet and a combing operation is still underway. “Search of the area is still in progress,” an official said.
Today’s infiltration bid comes as high-altitude passes are set to close due to heavy snowfall. Every winter, security forces say, militants increase infiltration attempts as heavy snowfall in the coming months makes movement difficult.
Last month, another infiltration attempt was foiled in Kupwara district. On October 14, the Army said two infiltrators were killed in the Machil sector.
