Ajai Shukla
 "Ajai Shukla")
Ajai Shukla
Colonel Ajai Shukla (Retired) is a columnist, commentator and journalist who covers regional security issues in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific, military technology and India’s defence economy. He writes primarily for Business Standard. He was earlier a prime-time news anchor and war correspondent with NDTV from 2001-2008. Before taking up journalism, he served in the military, in a combat arm, for over two decades before opting for voluntary retirement at the rank of colonel.
Colonel Ajai Shukla (Retired) is a columnist, commentator and journalist who covers regional security issues in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific, military technology and India’s defence economy. He writes primarily for Business Standard. He was earlier a prime-time news anchor and war correspondent with NDTV from 2001-2008. Before taking up journalism, he served in the military, in a combat arm, for over two decades before opting for voluntary retirement at the rank of colonel.
Page 33 - Ajai Shukla
Picking a chief on merit is fine, but what defines merit?
With no objective criteria set, this could lead to politicisation of the army
Controversy clouds out-of-turn appointment of next army chief
Over the past two decades, six of eight army chiefs have been from the infantry and the other two from the artillery division
 "Controversy clouds out-of-turn appointment of next army chief")
New-age Agni to boost Pak-focused nuclear deterrent
Powering the Agni-1P will be the cutting-edge technologies developed for the Agni-4 and Agni-5 missiles
 "New-age Agni to boost Pak-focused nuclear deterrent")
Indian gun booms in world's biggest artillery programme
Major milestone for DRDO-led indigenous gun project, crucial for army
 "Indian gun booms in world's biggest artillery programme")
Private sector rivals object to Tata Motors' selection for building infantry combat vehicle
While selection of L&T is acceptable across the board, at least two vendors have objected to the selection of Tata Motors, which has bid in consortium with Bharat Forge
 "Private sector rivals object to Tata Motors' selection for building infantry combat vehicle")
Will India remain a key defence ally for the US?
While ties improved under the Obama administration, India must keep a keen eye on how things take shape under Trump
 "Will India remain a key defence ally for the US?")
US Congress writes US-India defence ties into law
The legislation is based on Washington's belief that India is strategically vital to America in Asia's security architecture
 "US Congress writes US-India defence ties into law")
Silence on next army chief raises speculation about tri-service commander
According to convention, Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi should be named as Dalbir Singh Suhag's successor
 "Silence on next army chief raises speculation about tri-service commander")
Ajai Shukla: Trumping up an India policy
The choice of mid-level officials by Donald Trump will be a key factor determining Washington's engagement with New Delhi
 "Ajai Shukla: Trumping up an India policy")
US Congress to enshrine defence ties with India in new amendment
Congress to clear bill next week, President Obama will sign into law thereafter
 "US Congress to enshrine defence ties with India in new amendment")
US Congress to enshrine US-India defence ties in US law
Congress to clear bill next week, Obama will sign into law thereafter
 "US Congress to enshrine US-India defence ties in US law")
As LoC heats up, army contracts for two rocket regiments from L&T, Tata Power
The MoD has bought two regiments of the indigenous Pinaka multi-barrelled rocket launcher for Rs 3,230 crore
 "As LoC heats up, army contracts for two rocket regiments from L&T, Tata Power")
String of tactical debacles concerns army
"Kill ratio" declines, as fewer militants killed for each soldier's life
 "String of tactical debacles concerns army")
Army initiates long-term contracts with private firms for ammunition manufacture
Competitive selection proposed, to avoid 'nomination' of private firms
 "Army initiates long-term contracts with private firms for ammunition manufacture")
Despite tensions, proposals to enhance 'cross-LoC' trade
The tariff-free trade takes place four times a week, with 100 vehicles (each under 9 tonnes) allowed to cross the LoC each day
 "Despite tensions, proposals to enhance 'cross-LoC' trade")
Jaguar fighter gets 20-year lease of life with DARIN-III avionics
DARIN-III allows a pilot to feed in the co-ordinates of targets deep inside enemy territory
 "Jaguar fighter gets 20-year lease of life with DARIN-III avionics")
MoD's blacklisting policy for arms vendors has few of the promised changes
Parrikar has pushed hard, but unsuccessfully, for financial penalties for corruption, in place of suspension or bans
Navy's P-8I maritime aircraft losing technology race due to poor contracting
India lost the advantage of being first-mover due to poor contracting
 "Navy's P-8I maritime aircraft losing technology race due to poor contracting")
Navy's P-8I maritime aircraft losing technology race due to poor contracting
Boeing has to perpetually upgrade P-8 Poseidons supplied to Australia and Britain; its contract with India has no such provision
 "Navy's P-8I maritime aircraft losing technology race due to poor contracting")
Ajai Shukla: The non-debate over nuclear 'no first use'
Bypassing Pakistan's tactical nuclear weapons threat is what India should think about, not populist, macho threats
 "Ajai Shukla: The non-debate over nuclear 'no first use'")
