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 60 - Ajai Shukla
Ajai Shukla: VVIP lessons - build arms, don't buy them
The only way out of the downward spiral of purchases, scams, cancellations and blacklistings is the systematic and relentless indigenisation of defence equipment
Ajai Shukla: While Bangladesh reclaims its history
With developments in Bangladesh largely going India's way, it would be counterproductive to make an issue of Khaleda Zia's discourtesy to Pranab Mukherjee
Missing the moment in Kashmir
The ongoing drawdown of US troops in Afghanistan highlights the need for structurally stabilising Delhi-Srinagar ties
MoD courts trouble
The defence ministry should accept the idea of a completely independent Armed Forces Tribunal and modify its internal processes to cut down litigation
Ministry's initiative to push indigenous development
From mid-2013, when DPP-2013 is expected to take effect, the international arms bazaar will no longer be the first choice for buying weaponry and equipment
 "Ministry's initiative to push indigenous development")
MoD's massive Rs 15,000-cr upgrade for ordnance factories
This amount will be spent during the 12th Plan on upgrading, modernising and supplementing the OFB's production facilities
RTI reveals MoD largesse to Armed Forces Tribunal
Canteen cards provided to retd judges hired as judicial members of Tribunal
 "RTI reveals MoD largesse to Armed Forces Tribunal")
IAF crashes lose one fighter squadron every 2 yrs
Over the last five financial years a total of 50 IAF aircraft have crashed, including 37 fighters and 13 helicopters
 "IAF crashes lose one fighter squadron every 2 yrs")
A lived story of the Kashmiri Pandits
Rahul Pandita has produced a notable addition to the literature on Jammu & Kashmir, one that sheds light on an under-explored facet of the state's history
Defence indigenisation under Budget squeeze
Indigenous defence projects allocated just Rs 1 cr, down from Rs 89 cr last year
 "Defence indigenisation under Budget squeeze")
Fund crunch to have adverse impact on key defence projects
Senior government officials defend the token 9% rise in the capital procurement budget by calling it a 25% rise over last year's revised estimates
 "Fund crunch to have adverse impact on key defence projects")
Seeking evidence of wrongdoing, defence official heading for Rome
Questions are being raised over the legal basis on which the MoD was proceeding to cancel the contract, given that the Italian probe was still on
 "Seeking evidence of wrongdoing, defence official heading for Rome")
 "A choppy deal")
Govt threatens to blacklist Italian firm, asks for details
In an unprecedented move, defence ministry issues detailed chronology of action on both the background to the decision to buy and what action it took since the first reports of alleged corruption appe
Brajesh Mishra loosened norms that let AgustaWestland in: Tyagi
Ex-air chief says PMO, not IAF, drove decision-making
 "Brajesh Mishra loosened norms that let AgustaWestland in: Tyagi")
 "VVIP helicopter deal comes under CBI lens")
 "How Afzal Guru fled, and was arrested")
The inside story of Afzal Guru's arrest
Business Standard talks to IB insiders and reconstructs the sequence of events
'Rafale deal likely by mid-2013'
Air Chief Marshal says contract will be IAF’s highest priority over the next year, despite Budget cuts
 "'Rafale deal likely by mid-2013'")
