Author
Manish Kumar Jha is an Associate Editor, BW BUSINESSWORLD & BW DEFENCE. He writes on the Foreign affairs, International Trade & Defence. His global coverage-on the ground- spans more than 25 countries worldwide. Received International Press Fellowship award.
Defence is as about security as crucial it is for the economy and technology. The inherent opportunity and challenges both lie in building capabilities for our industry and so the armed forces. India marks at the threshold of such breakthroughs in defense & aerospace--if the policies set forth rightly and implemented in spirit. India's Defence Secretary, Dr Ajay Kumar with his tech background is at the crucial juncture to drive policies within the complexity of defence industrial ecosystem that India must not loose the momentum at any cost. BW Businessworld's Defence Editor Manish Kumar Jha interacts with Defence Secretary on such policies issues exclusively. Interaction touches upon: Defence Export, Startups, Offsets, SP Model, MMRCA-2, OFs, NUH and crucial aero engine among others.
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Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 323, the first unit of the indigenously built ALH Mk III aircraft, was commissioned into the Indian Navy. The squadron will operate three state-of-the-art ALH Mk III, a multirole helicopter with Shakti engine manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This will pave the way for Indian navy's naval utility helicopters under the indigenous effort.
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At a time when Indian Air Force is at threshold of depleting number of fighter jets, Commanders' Conference begins today on such crucial issues. The IAF Commanders' Conference is a bi-annual conference which is held at Air Force Headquarters, Vayu Bhawan in New Delhi. Conference is the gathering of top military leaders from IAF to discuss critical issues pertaining to operations, maintenance and administration.
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General Atomics Global Corporation is led by world's leading aerospace scientist Dr. Vivek Lall. General Atomics is the global powerhouse of unmanned systems and pioneering firm in nuclear energy and space technology. Indian Navy has inducted two Sea Guardian drones on lease from GA and scouting for more for critical maritime ISR capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region. But GA's groundbreaking energy innovation in magnetic fusion research is vital scientific discovery as Fusion Fuel holds the promise of Limitless clean energy to power the Planet for millennia which could supplement existing renewables. In an exclusive interaction, Dr. Lall, Chief Executive speaks with BW Businessworld's Defence Editor Manish Kumar Jha on such critical technologies in civil nuclear, defence and space.
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The JLN would enhance joint inter-operability between the Services and go a long way in improving the logistics processes of the Armed Forces to enhance the jointness among the three Services. Government sanctioned Letter for establishment of JLNs in Mumbai, Guwahati and Port Blair on October 12, 2020. The JLNs in Guwahati and Tri-Services, Andaman and Nicobar Command, Port Blair were operationalised on January 01, 2021.
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Swedish PM Stefan during the recent Summit with PM Modi imparted a new thrust in Indo - Swedish relations. Defence and Security remain the key docket where Swedish defence OEM SAAB renewed its commitment to India of laying production ecosystem of its flag horse Gripen E for the lucrative MRFA 114 fighter jets program. Besides, SAAB is focusing on critical navel systems like G1X family of latest radars, AUV 62 autonomous underwater vehicle and ship design with stealth signature management. BW Businessworld’s Defence Editor Manish Kumar Jha speaks with Ola Rignell, Managing Director, SAAB INDIA on such projects and collaboration.
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With 18% of India’s industrial output and 53% of the total FDI in 2020, Gujarat certainly stands tall among other federal States of India and its major economic indicators on right track. Debate is often on historic linkages but it is more about right policy, leadership, thrust on industry and governance. CM Dashboard is set up to monitor each projects underway across the States which is the first of its kind to check accountability--real time and digital. Gujarat's Chief Minister Vijay Rupani speaks with BW Businessworld's Manish Kumar Jha on such initiatives that make global investors flock to Gujarat. Beside industry and investment, he tells me more on Education, NEP and his plan for Green energy.
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DRDO is tasked to empower India for building capability in defence –that not only limited to armed forces but it is now about technology for today and future which is foundational to growing defence economy. Last year, in the wake of precarious situation at LAC, despite the Covid 19, DRDO had some of the best moment of technological breakthrough with avant garde R&D, speedier trials and turnaround delivery so far. Besides such feet recently, It does get fair and unfair amount of criticism which it carries from the past record and legacy issues. In a first, Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO speaks with Manish Kumar Jha on the entire gamut of current and futuristic projects that will be definitive for India in the world of defence, security and aerospace.
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While the concept of Indo-Pacific is marked within the dimension of maritime security in geopolitical arena the bilateral military exercise, called—Yudh Abhays-- of the land forces of both countries broaden the concept and mark it indeed significant for Indo- US security pact in the region. How that leads into supporting our overall strategy in the whole, says COL Jared D. Bordwell, Commander of 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, U.S. Army. On the sidelines of Indo-U.S. military exercise, Yudh Abhyas, Col Jared speaks with BW Businessworld’s Defence Editor, Manish Kumar Jha on the criticality of the interoperability of the land forces at tactical level.
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On the sidelines of Aero India 2021, I spoke with UK Defence Adviser to India Brig Gavin Thompson and Deputy British High Commissioner, Jeremy Pilmore-Bedford on the Indo-UK strategic security partnership. While the ongoing crucial military logistic agreement is expected soon, UK's Rolls Royce is in talk with India over building aero engine of 110 KN capability. Along, PM Boris Johnson is looking to reinstate his visit to India, Deputy HC Jeremy told BW Businessworld.
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