Latest news with #Akash
India.com
20 minutes ago
- Business
- India.com
India arming Armenia with powerful weapons like Pinaka, Akash, and howitzers; check Pakistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan connection
India arming Armenia with powerful weapons like Pinaka, Akash, and howitzers; check Pakistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan connection Defense relations between India and Armenia have been continuously increasing. By Tahir Qureshi Edited by Tahir Qureshi Advertisement New Delhi: India is continuously increasing arms sales to Armenia. This is seen as an effort to counter the growing strategic alliance between Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan. This trilateral partnership has challenged India's regional interests. During the recent India-Pakistan conflict, Turkey and Azerbaijan openly supported Islamabad and condemned India. In this context, the rising Indian arms sales to Armenia are being viewed as a balance of power, which is likely to escalate tensions with Azerbaijan and Turkey. Azerbaijan has a longstanding hostility with Armenia, and both countries have fought several wars against each other. Defense relations between India and Armenia have been continuously increasing since 2020. The main reason for this is Armenia's growing distance from its traditional arms supplier, Russia. During the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, Armenia accused Russia of remaining neutral and not providing assistance, even though both countries are members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Advertisement === Speaking to the South China Morning Post, Rajan Kochar, senior advisor at the Delhi-based security think tank Indic Researchers Forum, stated, 'India's relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan are not very good. Therefore, the sale of any kind of weapons to Armenia is unlikely to affect our relations with them, especially since both countries openly supported and promoted Pakistan against India during Operation Sindoor.' According to media reports, India is planning to deliver a second consignment of the Akash-1S surface-to-air missile system to Armenia under the 2022 treaty, along with a wide range of weapons including howitzer guns and the Pinaka multiple launch rocket system. The first consignment of missiles was sent last November. Advertisement === According to a report, Russia was Armenia's largest arms supplier for many years, but experts say that Yerevan's not providing open support for Moscow in the war against Ukraine has negatively impacted the relationship. Since then, India has emerged as a major supplier of arms to Armenia. London-based independent political analyst Chris Blackburn stated that India's missile sales are a direct response to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's support for Pakistan and his criticism of countries supplying arms to Armenia.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Don't seek prolonged wars as they impact economy: CDS Anil Chauhan
New Delhi: Prolonged wars and extended troop mobilisations have a significant economic cost and can hamper national development, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan said on Saturday, referring to the recent India-Pakistan conflict . "From an economic standpoint, prolonged mobilisations impose a huge financial burden. India has remained mobilised for months without actual combat, and that is unsustainable. We disengage swiftly once an operation concludes. We do not seek prolonged wars because they slow national development-a goal some adversaries may want to hinder," General Chauhan said at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Responding to speculation about Chinese assistance to Pakistan during the conflict, the CDS said there is no definitive proof that Beijing provided real-time targeting information, though he acknowledged that over 80% of Pakistan's military equipment comes from China. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "While Pakistan likely leveraged Chinese sources, we haven't seen hard evidence of real-time targeting support. In contrast, India relied on indigenous systems like Akash, which performed well in integrating various platforms, including imported radars, into a cohesive defence system," he said. Downplaying concerns of nuclear escalation, General Chauhan said both sides displayed rational behaviour during the conflict. "I saw rationality in both thought and action. So why assume that there will be irrationality in the nuclear domain?" he told Reuters on the sidelines of the event. Live Events In a seminar session, the CDS said it was plausible that Pakistan used Chinese or Western commercial satellite imagery and may have sought assistance from allies. He reiterated India's focus on self-reliance in defence modernisation, noting that imported systems may not always be reliable-particularly in networked warfare scenarios. Gen Chauhan also revealed that nearly 15% of operational time during Operation Sindoor was spent countering disinformation, much of it on social media. He underlined the urgent need for a dedicated information warfare vertical to address this emerging challenge.
Mint
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
India self-reliant during Operation Sindoor; Pak leveraged Chinese sources: CDS Gen Anil Chauhan
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, who held an Academia engagement with think tanks from various nations on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore city, emphasised that India, today, is ahead of Pakistan on all platforms despite greater diversity. General Anil Chauhan said India was able to achieve it due to the country's long-term strategy. During the conflict, India's aerial strikes penetrated deep into Pakistani territory and delivered pinpoint blows to critical enemy infrastructure such as radar systems, control units, and airbases, General Anil Chauhan said, ANI reported. '….you would have seen that most of the strikes were delivered with pinpoint accuracy, some even to a metre, to whatever was our selected mean point of impact,' Gen Chauhan was quoted as saying by Reuters. He said India went on 'seventh, eighth and 10th, and 10th in large numbers, to hit their bases deep inside Pakistan, penetrated all their defences with impunity...' General Anil Chauhan also highlighted the use of indigenous platforms during Operation Sindoor, stating that India has developed its own air defence networking infrastructure without depending on foreign vendors. He said while India used indigenous system, 'Pakistan likely leveraged Chinese sources'. 'Now, on the India-Pakistan relationship, we are not operating without a strategy. When we gained independence, Pakistan was ahead of us on every metric: social, economic, and GDP per capita. Today, India is ahead on all fronts: economic performance, human development, and social harmony, despite our greater diversity. That didn't happen by accident; it's a result of long-term strategy,' he said, ANI quoted. 'Diplomatically, we've reached out like in 2014 when the PM invited Nawaz Sharif. But it takes two hands to clap. If all we get in return is hostility, then disengagement may itself be a sound strategy for now,' CDS Chauhan said in an interview to Reuters. Speaking of the how India used indigenous systems like Akash, Gen Chauhan said, 'While Pakistan likely leveraged Chinese sources, there's no definitive proof of real-time targeting support. India, however, relied on its indigenous systems like Akash, which had notable success in system networking, integrating multiple platforms, including foreign radars, into a cohesive defence system.' "As for space and satellite intelligence, access is commercially available to all. While we rely on our own satellite resources, Pakistan may have leveraged Chinese or Western commercial imagery. I can't confirm whether real-time targeting data was provided to them, but it's plausible they sought help from their allies," he added. CDS highlighted important aspects of Operation Sindoor, including distributed force application, network-centric operations, cyber and disinformation campaigns and intelligence capabilities. 'On our end, we've not only used indigenous platforms like the Akash missile system effectively, but we've also built our own networking infrastructure for air defence without relying on foreign vendors. We've integrated radars from multiple sources into a cohesive network across India, and that was crucial.' 'On defence modernisation, we're moving toward self-reliance. While initially difficult, the process has started through programmes like Atmanirbhar Bharat. We can't rely 100 per cent on foreign elements, especially for networked warfare. We're now seeing the rise of startups, MSMEs and larger industries investing in defence. Our biggest strength? We produce the largest number of STEM graduates in the world, more than 20 IITs. Give them a defence problem and you'll have hundreds working on it. That's an untapped advantage we must channel with focus. I see modern warfare as a convergence of old and new methods, domains, timeframes and tactics. We're no longer fighting linear wars; we're operating across distributed networks, applying force in non-linear ways, where deception is becoming more important than surprise. Understanding this convergence is key to preparing for future conflicts,' ANI quoted him as saying. Speaking of how wars have an impact on a nation's development, CDS Chauhan said, 'From an economic standpoint, I've seen how costly prolonged mobilisations can be. India has remained mobilised for months without engaging in combat, and that imposes a huge financial burden. That's why we disengage swiftly once an operation concludes. We do not seek prolonged wars because they slow down our national development.' (With Reuters, ANI inputs)
The Print
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
CDS speaks out on Op Sindoor—from nuclear to losses & disinformation to Chinese role
'At independence, Pakistan was ahead by many metrics; today, India leads in GDP, social harmony, and development. That progress reflects a long-term strategy. Diplomatic outreach has occurred—such as the PM's 2014 invitation to Nawaz Sharif—but reciprocation is lacking. In such cases, strategic disengagement is itself a considered response,' he said. He also spoke on India-Pakistan relationship and rejected the idea of 'strategic aimlessness'. New Delhi: Underlining that India retained full operational clarity and autonomy during Operation Sindoor regardless of broader geopolitical currents, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan said what unfolded was a non-contact, multi-domain conflict involving both kinetic and non-kinetic elements which exemplifies the future of warfare. Addressing military leaders from across the world at the IISS-organised Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in a closed door session Friday, he said the military is seen as a rational actor when it comes to nuclear escalation and added that nuclear escalation in undeclared wars was illogical. He said that prolonged mobilisation without combat imposes a significant cost. 'That's why India disengages swiftly post-operations. Prolonged wars hinder national development—something adversaries may aim to disrupt,' he said talking about the short and swift conflict. Importantly, in his address, the CDS noted that while Pakistan may have leveraged Chinese commercial satellite imagery, there is no proof of real-time targeting support. This is significant because the CDS has said that what was available to Pakistan was commercial satellite pictures and not any active Chinese military inputs. 'India, by contrast, relied on indigenous systems like Akash, achieving success through effective system networking, integrating both domestic and foreign radars into a cohesive defence structure,' he said. He also spoke about the disinformation warfare unleashed by the Pakistani military and noted that '15 percent of operational time was spent countering fake narratives, underlining the need for a dedicated information warfare vertical'. 'India's strategy emphasized fact-based communication even at the cost of slower responses. Initially, two women officers served as spokespeople while the senior leadership was engaged in operations. Only after the 10th May did the DGMOs brief the media,' he said. The CDS also spoke on losses and said 'no war is without cost—but what matters is how one responds. India responded effectively within three days, without further escalation' On the issue of automation and robotics, Gen Chauhan warned that reducing the human cost of war may increase the likelihood of conflict escalation. 'When fewer lives are at risk, decision-makers may act more aggressively. This shift presents serious ethical and strategic challenges,' he said. The CDS noted that the modern warfare is undergoing a complex convergence—of tactics, domains (land, air, sea, cyber, space), time frames and strategies. On the issue of cyber operations, he said it played a limited role. 'While there were some denial-of-service attacks, India's air-gapped military systems remained secure. Public platforms faced minor disruptions, but operational systems were unaffected,' he said. Regarding space and satellite intelligence, he reiterated that commercial access is available to all. 'India relied on its own capabilities, while adversaries may have sought help from allies—but real-time coordination remains unconfirmed.' Gen Chauhan pointed out that India's focus on indigenous platforms, like Akash, and self-reliant networking infrastructure has paid off. Integration of diverse radars into a unified air defence system was a key success, he underlined. Turning to the Indian Ocean Region, particularly the northern Bay of Bengal, where geography and geopolitics constrain India's movement north (due to China) and east (due to Myanmar), he said the sea becomes India's strategic outlet. 'Though continental, India functions like an island nation, with its island territories providing depth. New concerns have emerged, but the view is expanding southward to secure broader maritime interests,' he said. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: What's a National Security Strategy & why CDS Gen Chauhan feels India doesn't need one on paper
India Gazette
11 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
India self-reliant during Op Sindoor; Pak leveraging Chinese sources: CDS Gen Anil Chauhan
Singapore City [Singapore], May 31 (ANI): Highlighting the use of indigenous platforms during Operation Sindoor, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan said that India has also built its own networking infrastructure for air defence without relying on foreign vendors and has integrated radars from multiple sources into a cohesive network across India. CDS General Anil Chauhan held an Academia engagement with think tanks from various nations across the globe on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Addressing the intellectually empowered group on 'Future Wars and Warfare', he acknowledged the availability of commercial satellite imagery to all actors. He noted, 'While Pakistan likely leveraged Chinese sources, there's no definitive proof of real-time targeting support. India, however, relied on its indigenous systems like Akash, which had notable success in system networking, integrating multiple platforms, including foreign radars, into a cohesive defence system.' 'As for space and satellite intelligence, access is commercially available to all. While we rely on our own satellite resources, Pakistan may have leveraged Chinese or Western commercial imagery. I can't confirm whether real-time targeting data was provided to them, but it's plausible they sought help from their allies,' he added. CDS highlighted important aspects of Operation Sindoor, including distributed force application, network-centric operations, cyber and disinformation campaigns and intelligence capabilities. 'On our end, we've not only used indigenous platforms like the Akash missile system effectively, but we've also built our own networking infrastructure for air defence without relying on foreign vendors. We've integrated radars from multiple sources into a cohesive network across India, and that was crucial.' He went on to emphasised the importance of network-centric warfare, where integration and automation across domains become critical. 'Modern warfare is undergoing a complex convergence of tactical, operational and strategic layers and old and new domains like land, air, sea, cyber, space and even time and space,' he said while adding that this convergence reshapes tactics, demanding demassification of battlefields, distributed force application, non-linear operations and a move away from large static platforms toward flexible, deceptive strategies. He underscored efforts undertaken in defence modernisation through Atmanirbhar Bharat and jointness and integration as vital battle-winning factors, saying that India is moving towards self-reliance in defence modernisation. 'On defence modernisation, we're moving toward self-reliance. While initially difficult, the process has started through programmes like Atmanirbhar Bharat. We can't rely 100 per cent on foreign elements, especially for networked warfare. We're now seeing the rise of startups, MSMEs and larger industries investing in defence. Our biggest strength? We produce the largest number of STEM graduates in the world, more than 20 IITs. Give them a defence problem and you'll have hundreds working on it. That's an untapped advantage we must channel with focus. I see modern warfare as a convergence of old and new methods, domains, timeframes and tactics. We're no longer fighting linear wars; we're operating across distributed networks, applying force in non-linear ways, where deception is becoming more important than surprise. Understanding this convergence is key to preparing for future conflicts,' he said. 'When asked about losses, I'll say no war is flawless, but it's not the number of losses that matters; what matters is how we respond. And we did respond, effectively and without further losses, within three days,' he said on Operation Sindoor. 'From an economic standpoint, I've seen how costly prolonged mobilisations can be. India has remained mobilised for months without engaging in combat, and that imposes a huge financial burden. That's why we disengage swiftly once an operation concludes. We do not seek prolonged wars because they slow down our national development, a goal that some adversaries might want to hinder. On the automation front, I believe the reduced human cost of war due to machine-based systems might increase the temptation to use force, which is a dangerous trend,' General Chauhan concluded. (ANI)
