National Security and Strategic Studies
Defence
VIF-CODISSIA meeting on Defence Manufacturing in India

The Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) and Coimbatore District Small Scale Industries Association (CODISSIA) held a virtual meeting on 31 January 2024. The meeting began with a presentation by CEO, CDIIC, Dr B. Vinodh Kumar and then remarks by Director, CDIIC, Mr. Sundaram.

Defence Preparedness – A Study Group Report

The purpose of constituting the Study Group on Defence Preparedness was to delve into the issues confronting the nation’s defence preparedness. The focus herein was directed at preservation of the nation’s territorial integrity in the face of China’s persistence in realigning, unilaterally and by the use of military force, the traditional Indo-Tibet Border; the long-continuing military confrontation astride the India-China Line of Actual Control (LAC) is an obvious preliminary to China’s that grand design.

India’s Defence Exports: Recent Trends and the Way Forward

In a highly competitive international defence market, India has recently made its mark and has huge opportunity to become a significant player. India’s defence exports have reached to an all-time high of approximately ₹16,000crore (US $ 1.94 billion) in the FY 2022-2023, a notable ten-fold increase from the FY 2016–17, when exports were merely ₹1,521 crore (US $ 184.59 million). This is a significant step towards India’s stated goal of exporting ₹35,000 crore (US $ 5 billion) worth of aerospace and defence equipment annually by 2025 and becoming a net defence exporter.

Contemporary Leadership: Challenges and Lessons from Ancient Indian Wisdom

Contemporary leadership is dynamic & constantly evolving which seeks to explore and understand the principles and practices that are necessary for effective leadership in today's rapidly changing world. Present day leadership models and theories have emerged to meet the demands of a complex and unpredictable global environment. In recent years, military and civil landscape across the world has undergone significant transformation.

Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) in the Indo-Pacific and the Way Ahead for Indo-Pacific Partnership for MDA (IPMDA)

… MDA signifies a need for situational awareness at sea, which necessitates being cognisant of the position and intentions of all maritime actors in all dimensions … IPMDA is aimed at curbing maritime free-run in the Indo-Pacific …

Smart Theatre Command : A Pre-requisite for to a Joint Theatre Command

Abstract Creation of the post of the Chief of Defence Staff and the Department of Military Affairs was a historical moment for the Indian Armed Forces and has infused the Military into National Security Mechanism. Government of India, as of 1st Jan 2020, carved out Allocation of Business (AOB) Rules for the Secretary DMA, directly tasking the CDS to restructure the Military Organisation and create Theatre Commands.

Indian Armed Forces in 2047: At The Centenary of Independence

The 75th Year of Independence is a milestone in India’s march towards a sovereign dispensation characterised by freedom, peace, and prosperity. In that endeavour, the preservation of territorial sanctity, economic sovereignty and political relevance in a competitive intra- and inter-regional dispensation are major challenges. India’s geographic situation between two compulsively revisionist, aggressive and militarist neighbours adds to the rigours of such challenges.

Border Disputes with China: An Update

… China has been successful in its hidden agenda of utilising the Indian market for its trade expansion .. and not moving constructively in resolving the border dispute. It’s rare in the world scene where two countries have fought an intense battle .. and yet India still chooses to play into China’s hands… China’s Land Boundary Law is intended to justify conflict escalation with India .. apparent with current events …

Drone Warfare Capacity Building in Securing India’s National Interests

This paper seeks to make a case for the utility of drone warfare in securing India’s national interests. It begins by establishing how drone proliferation acts as a threat and opportunity in the context of India’s security objectives and discusses the importance of drone warfare capacity building in countering the security threats faced by India. It then highlights the benefits and areas of operation where the Indian military could use drone warfare to achieve its objectives from ISR and Dull, Dirty and Dangerous’ missions to counter-terrorism and logistics.

Legal Dimensions of Commercialisation of Space

(The following is a transcript of the presentation made by Dr Ranjana Kaul at the Vivekananda International Foundation during a joint roundtable with Indian Space Foundation on 18 January 2023) The world is moving towards contestation of the ‘Outer Space’ wherein efforts are shifting from exploration to ‘commercialization’. There are increasing efforts and investments by major space powers to develop cutting edge disruptive capabilities. At the same time, several new nations are showing increased interest in adopting space technology at a scale, not seen before.

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