In Our Defence

This week, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor delve into the harrowing events of November 26, 2008, when 10 Pakistani terrorists infiltrated south Mumbai via the sea, launching a series of devastating attacks. Recounting the gruesome assault orchestrated by the Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which claimed 166 lives and left over 300 injured, Shiv shares his firsthand...

This week, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor talk about India's nuclear setup. They dive into why India decided to go nuclear back in the 1980s and 1990s, explaining the concept of the nuclear triad. What does it mean, and why has it been so challenging to complete the submarine part of this triad? And why do we need submarines like the INS Arihant or INS Arighat to finish the triad?...

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...

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 d...

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 mainstrea...

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 an...

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 Eas...

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,...

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 squadr...

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 questio...

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...

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...

In Our Defence team is back and how! With a different avatar! In Season 2, India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor, Shiv Aroor, joins host Dev Goswami, where they will talk of more guns and battles, wars and coups, interspersed with tales of glory from the battlefields! This episode delves into major global events—Russia's war in Ukraine, the India-China conflict, and the Israel-Hamas conf...

In Episode 82 of "In Our Defence," we share a special and bittersweet moment as we bid farewell to our insightful "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla, as he embarks on new endevaours. Our Host Dev Goswami, and Abhishek take a nostalgic journey, reflecting on the highs and lows of the episodes done so far. What are the key takeaways from the diverse themes covered thus far? They delve into significant glob...

The recently released movie "Tejas," featuring Kangana Ranaut, has sparked a debate around nationalism, with the actress suggesting that every nationalist should watch her film. But regarding the intersection of cinema and nationalism - how problematic is it to equate patriotism with watching a particular movie? Our host, Dev Goswami and "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla discuss everything abou...

Why do Indians seem to be more interested in the Israel-Hamas conflict compared to the Russia-Ukraine war, which has greater geopolitical impact and trade-business implications for India, considering the significant defense partnership with Russia? Many Indians draw a simplistic parallel between Israel and themselves as victims of terror. Why is this belief prevalent, and why do our host, Dev Gosw...

Israel has launched a series of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, and there are preparations for a potential ground offensive. The Israeli military has issued an ultimatum, calling for the evacuation of 1.2 million civilians in northern Gaza, urging them to relocate to the southern part of the region. On our show, Dev Goswami and "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla delve into the strategic implications of Isr...

The surprise attack launched by Hamas over the weekend is just the latest chapter in a seventy-year-long saga of war and strife between Israelis and Palestinians, with far-reaching consequences that have involved external powers and created turmoil in the broader Middle East. Why does this conflict stand out as uniquely complicated compared to others? Unlike more straightforward conflicts with def...

The row between India and Canada has only escalated and is showing no sign of ending soon. A lot has happened in the past week and in this podcast, our host Dev Goswami and "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla do a comprehensive analysis on the various nuances that have unfolded.  With the responsibility now squarely on Trudeau to present supporting evidence, the pressure is on him to produc...

This week, India-Canada relations hit a new low, as experts have noted. The tension escalated when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused 'agents of the Indian government' of being involved in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, a designated terrorist, was fatally shot outside a Gurdwara in June of this year. The souring of relations can be traced back to Trudeau's visit...

The world of defence is intertwined with the world of diplomacy. On this episode, host Dev Goswami and “Def Savvy” Abhishek Bhalla explore just that against the backdrop of the recently concluded G20 Summit. The Summit attracted praise for India’s ability to ensure consensus on a joint statement at the end of the mega two-day event that took place in New Delhi.  What went on behind the sc...

The NCERT curriculum for Class 7 has taken a meaningful stride by incorporating a chapter titled 'National War Memorial - an homage to our brave soldiers,' as announced by the defense ministry recently. This collaborative effort between the defense and education ministries aims to “instill vital values of patriotism, devotion to duty, courage, and sacrifice within school children”. Moreover, it se...

Yevgeny Prigozhin, a prominent Russian mercenary chief is reported to have been killed in a private jet crash in Moscow. He was reportedly listed as a passenger in the jet. This crash resulted in the unfortunate demise of all 10 passengers on board, as confirmed by Russian authorities. The reported passing of Prigozhin, though yet to be definitively confirmed, adds a layer of intrigue given the re...

A brand-new airbase has been established at an incredibly high altitude of over 13,000 feet. This airbase is designed to boost our ability to respond to a more assertive China. It includes fighter aircraft, advanced radars, and upgraded drones, all aimed at improving surveillance in Ladakh. Named the Nyoma air base, it's the third such facility in Ladakh for fighter aircraft operations. There are...

It's been four years since the Article 370 & 35A abrogation. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government has celebrated the decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's autonomy, terming it a rectification of a "historic blunder" after seven decades. Yet amidst these claims, a critical question emerges: What substantive changes have truly transpired? According to the government, data&nbs...