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 34 - Ajai Shukla
Only America can help India build fifth-generation fighters: Boeing
Boeing's plan involves first setting up an Indian factory and the aerospace ecosystem to build the Block II Super Hornet
 "Only America can help India build fifth-generation fighters: Boeing")
Boeing in fray for Indian Air Force's tanker contest
Having developed a brand new MRTT for the USAF, Boeing is poised to compete with Airbus and Ilyushin
 "Boeing in fray for Indian Air Force's tanker contest")
Australia enthused about Super Hornet; but CISMOA essential for buying
US law requires key elements of the data networks to be protected by CISMOA
 "Australia enthused about Super Hornet; but CISMOA essential for buying")
Ajai Shukla: Five vital navy concerns that worry Indian admirals
It should not take an operational emergency to remind planners that the navy needs urgent attention
 "Ajai Shukla: Five vital navy concerns that worry Indian admirals")
Defence Ministry finalises new blacklisting policy
Parrikar has strongly backed the US-style alternative of imposing tough financial penalties on cos found guilty of wrongdoing
Navy's second home-built carrier will be nuclear, but will come only in 2030s
Already, the navy faces six years of delay in the first indigenous carrier, the 44,000-tonne INS Vikrant
 "Navy's second home-built carrier will be nuclear, but will come only in 2030s")
Boeing says IAF inquiry for twin-engine fighter coming soon, hopes to build 200 in India
Boeing wants to sell and build the twin-engine F/A-18E/F Super Hornet --- the US Navy's frontline fighter
 "Boeing says IAF inquiry for twin-engine fighter coming soon, hopes to build 200 in India")
Supreme Court imposes fine on army for denying officers promotion
Chief Justice T S Thakur ordered the army to pay financial compensation of Rs 20,000 to each of 141 officers from combat support arms
 "Supreme Court imposes fine on army for denying officers promotion")
In a first, SC imposes fines on Army for denying officers promotion
The Army has vociferously alleged discrimination by the Defence ministry in the devaluation of military officers' status
 "In a first, SC imposes fines on Army for denying officers promotion")
Govt denies eroding military's status, but GoM report contradicts MoD
Government under fire for eroding military status, disability pensions
 "Govt denies eroding military's status, but GoM report contradicts MoD")
Indo-Russia ties flourish despite Pakistan shadow
From anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems to stealth frigates, new defence deals are a win-win for both countries
 "Indo-Russia ties flourish despite Pakistan shadow")
Ajai Shukla: Land of lost chances
New Delhi has repeatedly missed opportunities for political engagement in Kashmir in the past. It must seize the next one
 "Ajai Shukla: Land of lost chances")
Second Russian nuclear submarine to replace INS Chakra
Against an assessed requirement of 24 conventional submarines, India deploys just 13
 "Second Russian nuclear submarine to replace INS Chakra")
Major policy push to make submarines in India
Steered by Defence Minister, new norms to rope in domestic private firms as partners
 "Major policy push to make submarines in India")
Saab links Gripen bid with Tejas to counter F-16 production numbers
Saab offers a less controversial route to a contract that could encounter political attack. In the Indian psyche, the F-16 remains strongly linked with Pakistan
 "Saab links Gripen bid with Tejas to counter F-16 production numbers")
Lockheed Martin first to respond to invitation to build single-engine fighter in India
Saab to signal acceptance by month-end; Boeing is undecided
 "Lockheed Martin first to respond to invitation to build single-engine fighter in India")
Nearing approval, 'strategic partner' policy will unlock submarine building
Driven personally by Parrikar, draft policy now before defence secretary
 "Nearing approval, 'strategic partner' policy will unlock submarine building")
Top army doctor accuses generals of manipulating disability pensions
Claims pensions have become easy source of tax-free supplementary income for senior officers, wants tax breaks removed
 "Top army doctor accuses generals of manipulating disability pensions")
Government likely to restore disability benefits to veterans
The govt accepted the 7th CPC recommendation to calculate disability pension according to a "slab system", based on rank
 "Government likely to restore disability benefits to veterans")
Helicopter, frigate deals point to Russia's continuing clout
Among the most important is a multi-billion-dollar deal for three-four Krivak-III frigates for the Indian Navy
