In this episode, "Def Savvy," Abhishek Bhalla and host Dev Goswami delve into two significant defense acquisitions. Firstly, India and the US are on the brink of finalizing a groundbreaking defense deal. This deal aims to facilitate a partnership between India's state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the American firm General Electric (GE) for the joint manufacturing of indigenous jet engines for fighter aircraft. The deal is anticipated to be sealed during Prime Minister Modi's upcom...
Jun 08, 2023•45 min
India has been developing border villages in its north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh as tourist hubs to assert dominance over China near the line of actual control (LAC). How does the Centre's Vibrant Villages Programme aim to ensure environmental and energy security and promote tourism in the border villages? What are the concerns raised by Indian border forces regarding Chinese model villages? And what is the purpose of the scheme, and how does it differ from China's model villages? Liste...
Jun 01, 2023•45 min
Join "Def-Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla and host Dev Goswami as they delve into the reports suggesting Beijing's interest in recruiting Nepal's renowned Gorkhas into the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). The Indian Army's routine intake of the Gorkhas came to a halt after the Agnipath scheme was introduced. So, what factors contribute to the desirability of Gorkhas in the military forces of various nations, including China, India, and Pakistan, during times of conflict? How does the demographic compositio...
May 25, 2023•55 min
The Indian Army has made a significant decision to introduce a standardized uniform for Brigadier and above rank officers, regardless of their parent cadre or appointment. This change comes after extensive deliberations during the Army Commanders' Conference. Different uniforms and accoutrements in the Indian Army have traditionally represented specific arms, regiments, and services, fostering a sense of identity and camaraderie. But, what change will this decision bring? Is this move towards a ...
May 18, 2023•45 min
On May 9, Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister and leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), was arrested outside the Islamabad High Court by paramilitary rangers. And after 50 hours of his arrest, the Pakistan Supreme Court declared the arrest illegal. However, Khan’s arrest led to unprecedented protests between Khan's supporters and the police, resulting in six deaths and numerous injuries across several cities. The situation worsened when angry protesters stormed a radio station in Pakistan...
May 11, 2023•51 min
Amidst the spotlight of a momentous event, the Indian Army's commissioning of five women in their Artillery Regiment, Lieutenant Rekha Singh's extraordinary story shines through. Overcoming tragedy, Singh's unwavering determination after losing her husband, Naik Deepak Singh, during the Galwan clash has set her on a path to honor his legacy. On June 15, 2020, Naik Deepak Singh was killed in action by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). This week's focus is on Singh's exceptional journey ...
May 04, 2023•48 min
Two recent events have thrust India's security into the spotlight, raising important inquiries. The first incident involved a Naxal attack that claimed the lives of ten District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel and their driver in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada. Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, a terrorist assault orchestrated by seven individuals from Pakistani nationalist groups resulted in the deaths of five Army jawans. These incidents compel us to examine India's security challenge...
Apr 27, 2023•41 min
Def-Savvy Abhishek Bhalla and Dev Goswami discuss the controversial nature of "encounter killings" and "shoot-outs, exploring the history of the term, including its glorification by the press during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Abhishek also shares his own experiences covering the 2008 Batla House encounter. The conversation highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in law enforcement agencies' use of force. Listen in!
Apr 20, 2023•53 min
The incident at the military station in Bathinda has left the nation reeling with shock and grief. The lack of clarity surrounding the events raised more questions than answers, making it one of the most intriguing and mysterious incidents in recent times. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and there was no confirmation on whether the perpetrators were army personnel or civilians. However, there were hints that the breach was internal, raising more questions about the security at th...
Apr 13, 2023•37 min
The renaming of these places in Arunachal Pradesh is not a new development, as China has been making territorial claims over the region for several decades. However, this recent move by China is seen as a provocative and aggressive action, as it not only challenges India's sovereignty over the region but also threatens to escalate tensions between the two countries. In this episode, "Def-Savvy '' Abhishek Bhalla joined Dev Goswami to discuss what these attempts by the Chinese government really m...
Apr 06, 2023•50 min
What was the messaging of the exercise ? What’s the experience in an airstrike exercise? Why does Abhishek call it “vague”? What was the larger aim of this exercise? The grouping of these nations, how is that determined? And what are the few interesting things that Abhishek lists, which he says, the Indian airforce wont state out officially, tune in to know!
Mar 30, 2023•56 min
In the latest edition of "In Our Defence," the show's host, Dev Goswami, and "Def-Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla continue their conversation with special guest Major Samar Toor, a decorated veteran with extensive experience serving in Siachen, South Sudan, and during the conflict in Kashmir. Major Toor describes the challenges of operating in a war-torn environment in South Sudan, where everything and everyone was a potential threat, including child soldiers. The discussion delves into the complexities ...
Mar 23, 2023•1 hr 26 min
In celebration of the 50th episode of "In Our Defence," the show's host, Dev Goswami, and "Def-Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla are joined by special guest Major Samar Toor. With extensive experience serving in Siachen, South Sudan, and during the conflict in Kashmir, Major Toor offers unique insights into the cultural dynamics of the Indian army. In the first part of the discussion, the trio engages in a thought-provoking conversation about Major Toor's experiences in Siachen, and explores the “misconcep...
Mar 16, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Abhishek Bhalla, the “Def-Savvy” national bureau head of India Today TV, is back after spending a day on-board INS Vikrant. The development of the indigenous aircraft carrier comes as a big shot in the arm for India’s fledgling defence manufacturing industry. With INS Vikrant, India joins a club of select nations that possess the wherewithal to build their own aircraft carriers. On this episode of In Our Defence, Abhishek tells the show’s host Dev Goswami about his thrilling experience of being ...
Mar 09, 2023•57 min
On February 26, 2019, fighter jets of the Indian Air Force bombed a terrorist camp in Balakot, Pakistan. The Balakot airstrike – as the operation came to be known – was the first time since the 1971 war that Indian warplanes attacked a target inside Pakistan. The cross-border bombing raid was in response to the February 14, 2019 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. The already-high tensions between Delhi and Islamabad escalated even further after Pakistan responded to th...
Mar 02, 2023•59 min
In the latest episode of "In Our Defence," Dev Goswami, the show's host, and "Def-Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla, the national bureau chief, delve into the pressing need for cybersecurity. Abhishek's recent visit to Israel's CyberTech Global conference, a prestigious gathering of delegates from across the world, provides the perfect backdrop for this insightful conversation. The duo explores why cybersecurity laws are not given more prominence and emphasises the importance of addressing this critical is...
Feb 23, 2023•38 min
As Feb 14 marks the fourth anniversary of the gruesome Pulwama terror attack that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF members, we bring you a detailed and insightful discussion with Lt. Gen KJS. Tiny Dhillon, who played a critical role in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack in February 2019. Listen to the full discussion with him and Abhishek Bhalla on the attack, Kashmir After 370, his Twitter entry saga and much more. Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi...
Feb 16, 2023•56 min
What is the the Chinese Spy Balloon in US airspace Saga? And what's the “mystery balloon” hovering over Andaman & Nicobar Islands? Tune in to know!
Feb 09, 2023•44 min
We discuss the Indian navy and its hunt for a deck-based fighter jet, with respect to Abhishek Bhalla's recent visit to the French Navy aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle. There are several questions that we address: Why do we need to start thinking about a replacement for an aircraft carrier now? What makes a country decide what kind of aircraft carrier it wants? Listen in!
Feb 02, 2023•25 min
India celebrated its 74th Republic Day on January 26th, 2023 with a grand parade in the capital city of New Delhi. The parade, which is an annual event, was held at Kartavyapath and was attended by dignitaries from all over the world, including the President of India. This year's parade had a special focus on the inclusion of women in the military. For the first time in India's history, an all-women's motorcycle team from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) participated in the parade, showca...
Jan 26, 2023•29 min
With Pakistan facing the worst ever economic turmoil, the country’s prime minister advocating for ‘peace’ with India, doesn't come as a surprise. But should the PM’s comments be taken with a pinch of salt? Was his statement really aimed at India or was it aimed at the West drawing its attention towards the country’s dwindling economy?? Abhishek Bhalla and Dev Goswami discuss. Tune in!
Jan 19, 2023•35 min
Squadron leader Avani Chaturvedi, the Indian Air Force’s first female fighter pilot, is set to take part in a maiden air exercise ‘Veer Guardian-2023’. The exercise will be carried out from January 16 to January 26 at the Hyakuri Air Base and its surrounding airspace in Omitama, and the Iruma Air Base in Sayama in Japan. The women officers have been participating in wargames with the foreign contingents coming to India, including the French Air Force where two of the lady fighter pilots took par...
Jan 12, 2023•42 min
Despite the constitution of the Defence Planning Committee in 2018, India still does not have an NSS in place. Why? Why the current dispensation should prioritise having a comprehensive national security strategy? Are vested political interests a hindrance in its formulation? And why do we have so little written about it? What would be the benefits of an Indian NSS? Listen in!
Jan 05, 2023•38 min
In this episode Dev Goswami and Abhishek Bhalla reflect on the major defense developments of the past year in India. One significant reform from the Ministry of Defense was the Agnipath or Path of Fire initiative, which aimed to recruit a large number of troops aged 17.5 to 21. However, this scheme faced backlash and protests from aspiring candidates. The hosts also address the question of why India has not yet developed a basic rifle and discuss the importance of small arms for the army, despit...
Dec 29, 2022•37 min
In this episode of In Our Defence, we base our discussion on a big debate: Does the Indian navy really need a 3rd aircraft carrier?Has, over the years, the Navy been neglected in terms of provision of equipment? Is the Navy’s chunk of the budget very meagre? Listen in!
Dec 22, 2022•39 min
In this episode, Dev Goswami, the show's host, and "Def-Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla, the national bureau chief, discuss the reasons behind the clash, remarking how not just Ladakh, but there are clearly other trouble spots like Yangtze in Arunachal Pradesh. Bhalla, who has been to the Tawang sector twice, one last year, and once in 2019, brings forth insights from the ground. He had also attended the border personnel meeting between the two armies on the Chinese side. Listen in!
Dec 15, 2022•37 min
In this episode, we base our discussion on the political rhetoric on PoK that particularly erupts around elections. What does this signify? How pragmatism is the rhetoric? What it means to take over PoK? Does it mean war with China? Isn’t Chinese investment in PoK a strategic threat to India? Listen in!
Dec 08, 2022•35 min
The India-US's joint exercise provoked an objection from China. Was this expected? Was the location of the exercise picked keeping China in mind? What did the Indian and US soldiers do during the exercise? And, why were they even exercising together in the first place. Listen in!
Dec 01, 2022•36 min
“If she wanted to burn her hands with fire and talk about how the Indian army or the Indian establishment doesn't treat China and Pakistan the same way, there was a better way of doing it.” Can sensitivity in this matter be overlooked? Listen in!
Nov 24, 2022•37 min
How is someone in Pakistan able to throw a challenge to the almighty military? Can Khan come back to power without the army’s support? We discuss it in this episode. Listen in!
Nov 10, 2022•41 min
