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Sunday, March 15, 2026
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Brahmastra

Modi govt needs to learn from US, France. India’s defence industry needs a push for private

If India wants to counter China’s forays into Africa, it must harness the private sector to strike procurement deals on a tricky continent.

Days of soft power are over. Defence is the new diplomacy tool for India around the world

As India focuses on more bilateral and multilateral military exercises, it's pushing for hard power when it comes to striking defence deals.

Schemes like Agnipath must go to test beds first. They shake up the entire system

The scheme is being introduced full-fledged at a time when the country is in a standoff with China. The Russian experience in Ukraine isn’t encouraging.

Defence preparedness improved in eight years of Modi, but military must begin to punch hard

Rather than be perturbed by the controversy surrounding the Rafales, the Modi government should quickly move in and decide on more fighters for the Air Force.

American SiG Sauer rifle fine for Army—for now. Indian firms should be Modi govt’s priority

The repeat order of SiG 716 rifles from the US shows that Army is in desperate need of modern rifles. But the govt shouldn't depend on foreign supplies too much.

India’s defence offset contracts are in shambles, need a revamp

A number of the 57 offset contracts signed so far have resulted in penalties with the number expected to rise.

Chinese Navy is the largest in the world, but not the best. Don’t underestimate it though

As PLA Navy celebrates its 73rd anniversary and massive fleet, there’s a message for the world – it is only a matter of years before Chinese put their house in order.

Thank you Chetak, but your 60th anniversary also reminds us what’s wrong with Indian defence

During the past 10 years, around 15 Chetak and Cheetah helicopters have crashed, killing several pilots even as it remains the workhorse of the armed forces.

Another lesson for India from Ukraine: DRDO must get its act together & get along with military

DRDO projects are victims of massive time and cost overruns, plus there's a trust deficit between them and the armed forces. These issues need fixing.

Ukraine crisis has many lessons for India. Most important: Atmanirbharta is the way forward

The war in Ukraine has woken up Europe from slumber, reshaping the European focus on military and the criticality of investing in defence.

On Camera

Why peptides are the most exciting intersection between biotechnology and dermatology

PDRN, a bioactive molecule, has gained popularity in Korea. It is commonly used in treatments designed to restore skin quality rather than simply reduce wrinkles.

Gulf conflict pushes Dubai diamond traders to eye Surat for rough stone auctions. But there are hurdles

Industry leaders say India’s complicated customs process and GST levies are deterrents for traders to come to Surat for auctions.

Supreme Leader Mojtaba, the man Iran must keep alive & the secret force ‘tasked with it’—all about NOPO

The Nirouyeh Vijeh Pasdaran Velayat, or NOPO, was the only force Ali Khamenei trusted.It was founded in 1991 and is more feared than the Revolutionary Guards.

Peaceful power transfers followed uprisings in India’s neighbourhood. It’s a sign of mature democracies

Rating democracies is a tricky business. I am only using the simple metric of who in the Indian subcontinent has had the most peaceful, stable, normal political transitions and continuity.