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Hindustan Times
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Navy officer's remarks on Operation Sindoor 'taken out of context', says Indian embassy
The Indian Embassy in Indonesia on Sunday issued a clarification, saying certain remarks made by its defence attaché were blown out of proportion. The statement referred to remarks by a Navy captain on Indian Air Force losses during Operation Sindoor. Indian Air Force's Rafale fighter jets fly past during the "Aero India 2021" air show at Yelahanka air base in Bengaluru.(REUTERS file) In a statement issued on X, the embassy noted that Navy Captain Shiv Kumar's remarks on Operation Sindoor were "taken out of context" and "misrepresented." "We have seen media reports regarding a presentation made by the Defence Attache at a Seminar. His remarks have been quoted out of context and the media reports are a mis-representation of the intention and thrust of the presentation made by the speaker," said the embassy. "The presentation conveyed that the Indian Armed Forces serve under civilian political leadership unlike some other countries in our neighbourhood. It was also explained that the objective of Operation Sindoor was to target terrorist infrastructure and the Indian response was non-escalatory," the statement added further. What did the defence attaché say? During a presentation on June 10, India's defence attaché to Indonesia, Captain (Indian Navy) Shiv Kumar stated that the Indian Air Force lost "some aircraft" after it struck terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor. Captain Kumar further stated that the Indian forces had also been directed to not hit Pakistani infrastructure or air defences in the first strike. 'Only because of the constraint given by the political leadership to not attack the military establishment or their air defences,' he said, while explaining the reason why the IAF suffered lost fighter jets. The Captain further added that after this loss, the armed forces changed their tactics. "We went for the military installations... we first achieved suppression of enemy air defences and then... all our attacks could easily go through using BrahMos missiles," he said. After the remarks went public, opposition party Congress accused the BJP-led government of "misleading" the nation. 'Why is the PM refusing to preside over an all-party meeting and take the Opposition into confidence? Why has the demand for a special session of Parliament been rejected?" said Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. Senior leader Pawan Khera also took to X and stated the defence attache's remarks were a "direct indictment." "They know they've compromised national security, and they're terrified of what the Congress Party will expose before the people of India," said Khera.
Hindustan Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Addressing IAF's fighter aircraft conundrum
Jun 26, 2025 09:00 AM IST The Indian Air Force (IAF) plays a critical role in securing India amidst a world in flux. For this massive task, India must possess indigenously produced fighter aircraft engines to power its fighter aircraft variants over the next 50 years without falling into undue dependency on foreign suppliers. As the timely delivery of fighter aircraft to the IAF is linked to the security of supply chains, this brief underlines the need for both the development of indigenous capabilities and technological collaboration to proceed simultaneously. Equally important is the creation of indigenous testing and certification facilities, as well as the transfer of technology. FILE PHOTO: Indian Air Force's Rafale fighter jets fly past during the "Aero India 2021" air show at Yelahanka air base in Bengaluru, India, February 3, 2021. REUTERS/Samuel Rajkumar/File Photo(REUTERS) India's neighbourhood is fraught with military challenges and the strategic collaboration between China and Pakistan is deepening. Additionally, China is producing large numbers of the fifth-generation J-20 stealth fighter aircraft, as reports are emerging of Pakistan acquiring fifth-generation fighter aircraft from China. These developments have lent increased urgency to meeting the needs of the IAF, especially since several of its existing frontline fighter aircraft will be due for replacement soon. At the Aero India 2025 show in Bengaluru in February this year, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh lamented the delays in the delivery of the Tejas Mk-1 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) to the IAF by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The issues that have had an adverse impact on the IAF's operational needs should be viewed against the backdrop of evolving threats and challenges. This paper can be accessed here. This paper is authored by Sujan R. Chinoy – ORF, New Delhi.
Economic Times
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Indian Army tests next-gen military tech in Pokhran, Agra, Joshimath to simulate future battlefield scenarios
File photo: Indian Air Force's Rafale fighter jets fly past during the "Aero India 2021" air show at Yelahanka air base in Bengaluru, India, February 3, 2021. Synopsis The Indian Army is actively conducting large-scale trials to evaluate new indigenous battlefield technologies, including drones, EW systems, and air defense solutions, under near-combat conditions. CDS Chauhan emphasized India's self-reliance in defense, citing the successful integration of indigenous systems during Operation Sindoor. He also highlighted India's strategic advantage over Pakistan due to long-term strategic planning and economic growth. The Indian Army is conducting large-scale capacity development demonstrations at key locations including Pokhran, Babina, and Joshimath, with dedicated air defence trials in Agra and Gopalpur. ADVERTISEMENT These field trials aim to evaluate new-age battlefield technologies under near-combat conditions, including integrated electronic warfare (EW) simulations. As part of its 'Decade of Transformation,' the Army is fast-tracking the absorption of cutting-edge defence platforms developed under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. These trials are seen as critical to strengthening India's technological edge and ensuring operational readiness for emerging military threats. The Ministry of Defence has outlined a wide range of indigenous technologies under evaluation, including: Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) UAV-Launched Precision Guided Munitions (ULPGM) Runway-Independent Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) Counter-UAS Solutions Loitering Munitions Specialised Vertical Launch (SVL) Drones Precision Multi-Munition Delivery Systems Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction Systems (IDDIS) Low-Level Light-Weight Radars VSHORADS (Next-Gen Infrared Systems) Advanced Electronic Warfare Platforms Earlier this week, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi visited Babina Field Firing Ranges to review the trials and interact with Army personnel and defence industry stakeholders. The demonstrations reflect growing synergy between the Army and India's private defence sector. ADVERTISEMENT Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, speaking on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday, had emphasised India's self-reliant defence systems. Highlighting Operation Sindoor, he said India successfully used indigenously developed systems like the Akash missile and built its own air defence networking infrastructure.'We've integrated radars from multiple sources—both Indian and foreign—into a cohesive network across the country without relying on external vendors. This was crucial for our defence posture during recent operations,' Chauhan said. ADVERTISEMENT He also noted the increasing convergence of warfare domains: 'Modern conflict demands integration of air, land, sea, cyber, and space. We're shifting from large, static platforms to distributed, deceptive and non-linear strategies.'In a candid assessment, CDS Chauhan contrasted India's strategic evolution with Pakistan's stagnation. ADVERTISEMENT 'When we gained independence, Pakistan was ahead in several metrics—GDP per capita, social indicators, economic performance. But today, India is ahead on all fronts—military capability, economic power, social harmony. That's a result of deliberate long-term strategy,' he further stated that while Pakistan likely sought Chinese or commercial satellite imagery during Operation Sindoor, there is no confirmation of real-time targeting support. 'India relied on its own satellite and electronic systems. Our response during the operation was swift and effective, with no further losses beyond the initial strike.'Chauhan argued that India's preference for disengagement after decisive military actions is rooted in economic logic. 'Prolonged mobilisations are expensive. Our aim is decisive, short operations that avoid long-term disruptions to national development.' ADVERTISEMENT The trials and strategic posture echo India's growing focus on readiness for high-technology warfare. CDS Chauhan highlighted the role of Indian academia, startups, and private industry in pushing the innovation envelope. 'We produce the largest number of STEM graduates globally. Give them a defence problem, and you'll have hundreds working on it. That's an untapped advantage we must harness," said CDS Chauhan. (With inputs from ANI, PTI) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online. NEXT STORY
