In a world of delayed defence projects and botched indigenous systems, India's BrahMos cruise missile stands out. Co-developed with Russia, BrahMos is one of the fastest and most accurate supersonic cruise missiles in the world -- and it's made in India. In this episode, national security expert Sandeep Unnithan and host Dev Goswami deep dive into the BrahMos story: What kind of missile is BrahMos? How is it different from ballistic missiles? The origin story: India-Russia partnership and how it...
Jul 04, 2025•56 min
The Middle East is on fire. Again. What began as Israel's retaliation against Hamas after the October 7 attacks has now exploded into a multi-front conflict involving Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and now Iran. In this episode of In Our Defence, veteran journalist and national security expert Sandeep Unnithan joins host Dev Goswami to break down how the war escalated so dramatical, and what it means for the region and the world. The two look at Iran's underestimated military, its dual-army structure, a...
Jun 20, 2025•35 min
Inside India’s Fight Against Naxalism | Is This the End of Red Terror? | Ft. Sandeep Unnithan  In this deep-dive episode of In Our Defence, veteran defence journalist Sandeep Unnithan joins host Dev Goswami to unpack India’s decades-long battle with Left Wing Extremism (LWE) — often called Naxalism or Red Terror — and the recent decisive push to eradicate it by March 2026. Dev and Sandeep explore the evolution of the Naxal movement from its origins in Naxalbari in 1967 to its spread acr...
Jun 13, 2025•58 min
In this episode of In Our Defence, veteran defence journalist Sandeep Unnithan joins host Dev Goswami to break down Ukraine’s daring drone strike deep inside Russian territory — an operation that has stunned the world. Using covertly disguised container trucks and remotely launched drones, Ukraine struck key Russian airbases housing Tu-95 bombers and A-50 AWACS, marking a significant escalation in the four-year-old war. Produced by Prateek Lidhoo Sound mix by Aman Pal...
Jun 09, 2025•55 min
India’s next-gen stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), just got a massive push from the government with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh clearing an execution model for the jet’s design and development.  On this episode of In Our Defence, veteran defence journalist Sandeep Unnithan breaks down what this means for the future of Indian airpower, how private players like Tata and L&T could shape the aircraft production ecosystem, and what role the state-owned H...
May 30, 2025•59 min
In this episode, veteran defence journalist Sandeep Unnithan joins host Dev Goswami to decode Operation Sindoor — India's response to Pahalgam terrorist attack. Sandeep and Dev dive deep into how India’s layered air defence network, including the IACCS (Integrated Air Command and Control System), played a pivotal role in thwarting Pakistani aerial threats. What was the X factor that gave India the edge? Was the much-talked-about S-400 system deployed? What was sitaution like in the commmand and ...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 8 min
In this gripping episode of In Our Defence, host Dev Goswami sits down with Major LS Chaudhary (Retd.) to explore the reality of counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir, and the rigorous training life at the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Military Academy (IMA). From close-quarters combat against Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists to the psychological toll of surviving a life-altering injury, Major Chaudhary gives a rare, first-person account of what it truly means to serve in a confli...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 22 min
In this episode of 'In Our Defence', Dev Goswami talks to Major Manik M Jolly about his time in military intelligence, how to gather information after a major terrorist attack like Pahalgam, and how accurate is the "intelligence failure" question that is being asked. Produced by Prateek Lidhoo Sound mix by Suraj Singh
Apr 28, 2025•55 min
In the latest episode of In Our Defence, Commander Naveen Pandita (Retd.) joins host Dev Goswami for a deeply personal and inspiring conversation that spans the valleys of Kashmir to the decks of warships and the skies above the sea. Born in the Kashmir Valley, Commander Pandita reflects on his early childhood battling a life-threatening illness, the harrowing memory of the Kashmiri Pandit exodus of 1990, his journey through the prestigious RIMC and NDA, and finally life in the Indian Navy. As a...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 20 min
What does it take to lead soldiers in the world's harshest battlefield? In this episode of In Our Defence, Major General Sudhakar Jee (Retd.) shares powerful lessons in leadership drawn from his deployments in Siachen and along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) against China. Through gripping personal anecdotes, General Jee takes host Dev Goswami through what it means to command troops in freezing altitudes, under constant threat, and in terrain that tests not just physical endurance but mental c...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr 40 min
On this episode of In Our Defence, Major General Sanjay Soi (retired) joins host Dev Goswami as he recounts his time serving in Jammu and Kashmir. From his first posting and the experience of facing enemy fire to counter-insurgency operations in the Kashmir Valley, Maj Gen Soi shares several anecdotes and insights from his experience serving in the state. The retired officers also shares his perspective on the recent developments in the Jammu and Kashmir, especially the rise in violence seen in ...
Mar 28, 2025•55 min
In this episode of In Our Defence, host Dev Goswami sits down with Major Manik M Jolly, a former Indian Army officer who served in the Gorkha regiment before moving to Military Intelligence. From humorous anecdotes about cultural misunderstandings to deeply emotional experiences of delivering the body of a fallen soldier, Major Jolly shares his journey of leadership, courage, and cultural integration within the Indian Army. Tune in to hear fascinating insights about what makes the Gorkhas such l...
Mar 25, 2025•49 min
With deliveries of the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet delayed by nearly a year, big questions remains on what it will take to plug the Indian Air Force's fighter jet shortfall. What will it take for the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to get the Tejas production line up and running at the speed that the Indian Air Force requires? Is the entry of the private sector to help boost the production of the indigenous fighter jet all but a given now? Also, is there serious thought being put to figuring a roadmap ...
Mar 05, 2025•53 min
This episode delves into the bittersweet story of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's efforts to develop and build an intermediate trainer jet for the Indian Air Force. This is a project that faced multiple delays, technical issues and questions over safety. It is a project that was nearly written off and considered by many to have been shelved. However, the determined team at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited had other plans. On this episode of In Our Defence, host Dev Goswami and defence exper...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 3 min
A single line in the White House readout of President Donald Trump's call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi has raised eyebrows-the President emphasized the importance of India increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment. But why was this message made so explicit? What exactly is Trump pushing India to buy, and where is this pressure coming from? In this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor dive into the evolution of India-US defense ties, from past sanction...
Jan 30, 2025•48 min
In this episode of In Our Defence, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor dive into the remarkable success story of the Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) system—an outlier in India's indigenous weapons development journey. Despite challenges that have plagued many homegrown defense projects, Pinaka stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when the armed forces, scientists, and private industry come together with a shared vision. The two explore how the Indian Army’s u...
Jan 24, 2025•48 min
Have you ever wondered why it took India nearly two decades to start exporting the excellent BrahMos missile system, despite its induction into the Indian military in the mid-2000s? What were the reasons behind this delay, and how has India now finally started to capitalize on the export potential of this advanced missile system? The BrahMos missile is a game-changer in the world of defense technology, with its medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile capabilities making it an attractive op...
Jan 20, 2025•57 min
The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited - India's premier aerospace manufacturing company - is in focus this week due to factors some argue are beyond its control. A fatal crash of a Dhruv Mk III Advanced Light Helicopter has led to a fleet wide grounding across all the services that operate it. And, in an unrelated development, the Indian Air Force expressed frustration with the delays in the deliveries of the Tejas fighter jet. Both the machines in question are the crown jewels of the Hindustan Aero...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 3 min
A video showcasing a new Chinese stealth fighter jet, suspected to be a 6th-generation machine, has taken social media by storm. The timing couldn’t be more striking. As this footage goes viral, India grapples with a stark contrast. The country has yet to field a stealth fighter jet, and the Defence Ministry has just formed a high-level committee to address critical gaps, including a severe shortage of fighter jets, weapons, and equipment, in the Indian Air Force’s arsenal, TOI reported. The vid...
Dec 26, 2024•52 min
What fifth-generation fighter jet should India invest in—the Russian Su-57 or the American F-35? This question has taken centre stage following a calculated pitch by Russian state media, spearheaded by Sputnik, touting the Su-57 as a ‘superior option’ for India. But is this merely a tactical move, or does it hold real strategic merit? The timing of Russia's push is quite interesting too. President Vladimir Putin is slated to visit New Delhi in early 2025 for the 23rd annual India-Russia bilatera...
Dec 13, 2024•53 min
Off the coast of Goa, a tragic collision between the Indian Navy submarine INS Karanj and a fishing boat left two fishermen dead, while 11 others survived. The crash caused ₹10 crore worth of damage to the submarine, and the fallout has raised some big questions. In this episode of In Our Defence, Dev Goswami and Shiv Aroor deeply dive into this incident. They break down how collisions like these happen and why they’re so hard to avoid. The submarine was at periscope depth, recharging its batter...
Dec 05, 2024•56 min
A leaked letter from Lieutenant General Rajiv Puri has ignited a debate about women in the Indian Army. The October 1 letter, based on an “in-house review” of eight colonel-ranked women officers under his command, raises concerns like “ego issues,” “lack of empathy,” and challenges in leadership styles. This has divided opinion — is the letter reflective of ingrained patriarchy in the military or a critique of preparedness for command roles? This controversy comes against the backdrop of histori...
Nov 29, 2024•56 min
On November 12, the DRDO conducted the maiden flight test of the Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM), successfully meeting all mission objectives. Just days later, on November 16, India achieved another milestone by testing its first long-range hypersonic missile, joining an elite club of nations with this cutting-edge capability. What makes these tests so special? In this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor analyse their significance for India’s defence landscape....
Nov 22, 2024•58 min
Recent events have put the Indian intelligence establishment under scrutiny, especially after a high-profile incident that raised questions about its effectiveness. An indictment filed by the U.S. Department of Justice on October 18 in a New York court charged Vikash Yadav and his associate Nikhil Gupta with murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering. The target was Khalistani separatist and Sikhs For Justice founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York in June 2023. Yadav...
Nov 14, 2024•58 min
With a steady decline in active squadrons, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently operating well below its optimal strength of 42 squadrons. Numbers are expected to dip further as older aircraft retire. In this episode, Shiv and Dev unpack India’s decision to initiate a new global competition for fighter jets to fill a critical gap in the IAF’s strength. The IAF initially purchased 36 Rafales (far fewer than the original 126 needed); India’s MRFA tender—an acquisition plan for 114 fighter jets—...
Nov 08, 2024•49 min
India and China have agreed to resume military patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, marking a step toward disengagement, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia for the BRICS Summit. PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first formal discussion since the 2020 border clashes, signalling renewed dialogue after years of military buildup on both sides. In the latest In Our Defence podcast, host Dev...
Oct 25, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Can you picture a ship that can stay hidden under water for months on end, manoeuvre sharply and speedily, and surface at just at the right time, literally out of the blue, to wreak havoc on the enemy? That's a nuclear-powered attack submarine, or SSN, for you. Nuclear strategist Rear Admiral Raja Menon (retired) once called these submarines "the ultimate arbiter of sea power". But what it is about these submarines that makes them so lethal? Dev Goswami and Shiv Aroor take a deep dive o...
Oct 17, 2024•58 min
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has announced that flight testing for India’s ‘Loyal Wingman’ drone will begin by 2024. Part of HAL’s Combat Air Teaming System, this indigenous drone will accompany manned IAF fighter jets, offering a new dimension in air combat by working alongside or behind fighters to protect and support them. It can be launched from aircraft like the C-130 or Su-30 MKI and controlled via a secure data link. The CATS Warrior first unveiled in 2021, is a twin-engined unmann...
Oct 10, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Iran fired more than 180 ballistic missiles, including its hypersonic medium-range Fattah-2, in a major offensive aimed at overwhelming Israel’s air defences. The strikes hit key military targets such as the Nevatim and Tel Nof airbases, home to Israel’s F-35 fighter jets. In this episode of In Our Defence, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor unpack Iran’s recent missile offensive on Israel and how the Fattah-2, used for the first time, targeted Israel’s Arrow defence system, designed...
Oct 04, 2024•53 min
Recently, an MQ-9B Predator drone leased to the Indian Navy by the US crashed into the sea off the Chennai coast due to a failure of its power generators and onboard batteries. It was leased from the American firm General Atomics and suffered a power generator and battery failure, leading to a "controlled ditching" into the sea off the Chennai coast. What does "ditched in a controlled manner" mean, and is this crash a concern for India? Besides, the US has also approved the sale of 31 MQ-9 B-arm...
Sep 26, 2024•1 hr 2 min
