Latest news with #VincentViola
&w=3840&q=100)
India.com
2 days ago
- Business
- India.com
India Is Building Weapons Faster And Smarter – And The U.S. Should Be Worried
New Delhi: Operation Sindoor may have been a victory for India, but it might signal something bigger. And that is unraveling of America's defence monopoly. A revolution is underway, and it is not happening in Washington. It is happening in New Delhi. The world noticed when Indian Air Force jets thundered across the border during Operation Sindoor and struck terror camps with surgical precision. In addition to the military success, what foreign observers picked up and what the Pentagon should be losing sleep over is how efficiently India pulled it off. While American weapons manufacturers are stuck in spiraling budgets, bloated procurement cycles and Cold War-era thinking, India is moving fast, building smart and spending less. And as Small Wars Journal notes in a recent essay by John Spencer and Vincent Viola that contrast is growing too big to ignore. Consider this. India's Pinaka rocket launcher costs around $56,000. Its American equivalent, the GMLRS missile, comes in at a hefty $148,000. India developed Akashteer air defence system at a fraction of the cost of a U.S. Patriot battery or NASAMS unit. And even Iran's infamous Shahed-136 drone, which is priced at just $20,000, is proving more agile in combat zones than the $30 million MQ-9 Reaper built in the United States. This is not only about economics but also about agility. In conflict after conflict, whether it is the mountains of Ladakh or the skies over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, India is proving that good enough and fast beats perfect and late. On the other hand, the U.S. military-industrial complex, dominated by Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman and a few others, is beginning to look less like an innovation hub and more like a cartel. As reported by Eurasian Times , nine of the world's top 20 arms companies are American. But this consolidation is proving to be a liability. The Small Wars Journal authors are blunt. 'This is not competition, it is cartelised domination,' they say. With 41 of the top 100 defence firms headquartered in the United States, one might expect agility. Instead, the opposite is true – bureaucracy, complacency and decade-long project timelines. Just look at the F-35 stealth fighter. With a staggering $1.7 trillion lifetime cost, it has become the poster child of America's cost-plus culture – over-promised, under-delivered and nearly impossible to fix. Designed in an era of battleships and nuclear deterrence, the U.S. acquisition system simply cannot keep up with the speed of modern warfare. From counter-IED kits in Iraq to urgent drone requests in Afghanistan, most battlefield innovations have had to go around the system, not through it. The war in Ukraine highlighted this. While Javelins and HIMARS made headlines, U.S. production lines struggled to meet demand. Artillery shells ran dry. Supply chains creaked. And in the background, Russia and China watched and learned. The real disruption? Countries like India are not just buying anymore. They are manufacturing. From the indigenous Sudarshan Chakra (S-400 system) to whispers about India eyeing Russia's S-500 Prometheus, which is capable of intercepting hypersonic missiles and low-orbit satellites, India is preparing for the next generation of conflict. And it is not waiting for the Pentagon to catch up. It is a wake-up call for the United States. Even President Donald Trump once said that U.S. defence companies had 'merged in', killing off negotiation and competition. The previous Biden administration too shared the same view. A recent White House executive order called out the broken procurement system, demanding a full reform plan within 60 days. But will it be enough? The United States needs fewer gold-plated platforms and more rugged and scalable systems. It needs smaller, faster and more modular production networks. It needs to treat allies like Israel as real partners, not passive clients. And, as Spencer and Viola argue, it needs 'permanent and deployable learning teams' in real war zones to feed real-time combat data back into weapons design and battlefield innovation. Think agile warfare at scale. For now, the U.S. still has the tech edge. But as China surges and India masters fast cost-effective lethality, the world's defence balance is beginning to tilt.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Lockheed to Boeing: How India's Operation Sindoor may loosen the grip of US defence giants
India's recent military advances and cost-effective innovations expose critical weaknesses in the US defence system. As Washington clings to outdated Cold War models and monopolistic defence contractors, it risks falling behind rivals like India and China. Experts call for urgent reforms to speed up acquisition, break up monopolies, and build scalable, adaptable systems. Without change, the US could lose its military edge in future conflicts. The time for reform is now—and the clock is ticking. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What ails US defence industry Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads US acquisition system: Too slow for modern war The cost trap undermining US power Learning from India and others A closed circle resisting change Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What the US must do to stay relevant Facing the challenge from China India's growing military success, especially evident in recent operations like Operation Sindoor , should serve as a sharp warning to the United States. While India innovates quickly and builds cost-effective, scalable warfighting models, the US remains trapped in slow, outdated Cold War contrast is stark. India's Pinaka rocket costs less than $56,000, compared to a US GMLRS missile priced at $148,000. India rapidly developed the Akashteer missile defence system at a fraction of the cost of US-made Patriot or NASAMS platforms. Even Ukraine's use of Iran's $20,000 Shahed-136 drone outpaces the US MQ-9 Reaper, which costs over $30 examples highlight a fundamental problem in the American defence ecosystem. As John Spencer and Vincent Viola argue in the Small Wars Journal , 'The United States is in urgent need of fundamental defense reform. Not just adjustments. Not just marginal gains. A full-scale overhaul.'The US defence industry is dominated by a handful of giant contractors. Lockheed Martin, Boeing , Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies, and General Dynamics rank among the top global arms producers. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), nine of the world's top 20 defence firms by revenue are American, and 41 of the top 100 are US-based, as reported by Eurasian once was a sign of strength now feels more like a cartel. Spencer and Viola warn: 'America's defense manufacturing process is dominated by a small cartel of primes that, while capable, have little incentive to drive innovation, reduce cost, or adapt quickly. There is no real market competition. This is not competition—it's cartelized domination.'Despite soaring defence budgets—expected to near $1 trillion by 2025—the number of prime contractors has shrunk drastically. A Department of Defense study noted that prime defence contractors fell from 51 to fewer than 10. Former President Donald Trump pointed to the problem bluntly: 'Defense companies have all merged in, so it's hard to negotiate… It's already not competitive.'The US acquisition process is notoriously slow. It often takes years, sometimes decades, to field new equipment. The war in Ukraine exposed this painfully. While American weapons like Javelins and HIMARS made a difference, production struggled to keep up with demand. Artillery shell shortages forced the Pentagon to rely on ageing factories and slow supply battlefield innovations since 9/11—such as counter-IED kits and drones—were introduced through emergency channels, bypassing formal procurement. But these stopgap measures do not fix systemic contracting shields defence firms from the consequences of budget overruns. This system discourages innovation and encourages over-engineered, expensive F-35 fighter jet illustrates this problem. With a lifetime cost estimated at $1.7 trillion, it has been criticised for delays and underperformance. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall admitted, 'We're not going to repeat what I think frankly was a serious mistake that was made in the F-35 program.' In May 2023, Kendall warned that without reform, 'What that basically does is create a perpetual monopoly.'While the US struggles to keep up, countries like India show how to innovate efficiently. India's defence industry emphasises cost-effective, rapid development. The Akashteer system and Pinaka rockets are examples of scalable, rugged platforms built with speed and affordability in and Viola highlight the absence of 'an agile, scalable, layered, fast-response production network' in the US. 'There is no real surge capacity,' they write. This gap leaves America vulnerable in fast-paced modern firms increasingly operate in isolation from broader markets. A 2024 study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) found that 61% of major defence contracts go to companies with no commercial business. This figure rises to 86% when firms like Boeing, whose commercial work is limited, are shift began after Cold War budget cuts in the 1990s, driving consolidation and pushing commercial players out. The result is a defence industry insulated from market pressures and reluctant to and Viola warn bluntly: 'The time for US defense reform is not coming. It's already late.'To avoid falling behind, the US must rebuild its defence acquisition process around speed, iteration, and frontline feedback—not decade-long static programmes. It needs to break up industrial monopolies or foster genuine competition and alternative important is treating allies like India and Israel as co-equal production partners, not merely buyers or technology recipients. White House executive order last month recognised this. 'Unfortunately, after years of misplaced priorities and poor management, our defense acquisition system does not provide the speed and flexibility our Armed Forces need to have decisive advantages in the future,' it said. The order directed the Secretary of Defense to deliver a reform plan within 60 reform cannot stop at factories and procurement cycles. The US should establish permanent, deployable learning teams embedded in conflict zones and logistics hubs. These teams would gather battlefield lessons directly and feed them back into system design—making the US defence ecosystem 'the most efficient, adaptable, and dominant in the world.'China poses the biggest challenge. It has the largest active military force globally, with approximately two million soldiers and a population more than four times that of the future wars will not be about who has the biggest army. It will depend on who can innovate faster, produce economically, and fight at speed.'Wars will be won by those who can think faster, build faster, and fight smarter—and above all, by those who master the physics of lethality required on the modern battlefield,' Spencer and Viola the US to lead again, it must not only revive its defence industrial power but also master lethality at scale, speed, and sustainability. The clock is ticking.
CBC
13-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
NHL suspends Panthers vice chairman Doug Cifu over 'inappropriate' comments on social media
The NHL has suspended Florida Panthers vice chairman and alternate governor Doug Cifu from any involvement with the team or the league, doing so in response to inappropriate posts on Cifu's now-shuttered social media account. Cifu, in posts on X, got into a back-and-forth with a Toronto fan on Sunday night, the fan starting the exchange by comparing hits by Florida players in this ongoing series against the Maple Leafs to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. A post on Cifu's account shortly after, in response to the Toronto fan, referred to the fan a "51st state anti semite loser." President Donald Trump has often said in recent months that he wants to see Canada added to the United States as the 51st state. That post was among those deleted not long afterward, and the account has since been suspended. "The NHL has concluded that Mr. Cifu's X posts were unacceptable and inappropriate," the league said in a statement, first reported by The Toronto Sun. "As a result, Mr. Cifu has been suspended indefinitely from any involvement with the Club and the NHL." Cifu — whose name is etched on the Stanley Cup, part of the group that the Panthers included in that tribute after winning their first title last year — is CEO of Virtu Financial, a company he co-founded with Panthers owner, chairman and governor Vincent Viola in 2008. Cifu will have an in-person meeting with commissioner Gary Bettman at some point.
Associated Press
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Panthers vice chairman Doug Cifu suspended by NHL over comments on social media
The NHL has suspended Florida Panthers vice chairman and alternate governor Doug Cifu from any involvement with the team or the league, doing so in response to inappropriate posts on Cifu's now-shuttered social media account. Cifu, in posts on X, got into a back-and-forth with a Toronto fan on Sunday night, the fan starting the exchange by comparing hits by Florida players in this ongoing series against the Maple Leafs to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. A post on Cifu's account shortly after, in response to the Toronto fan, referred to the fan a '51st state anti semite loser.' President Donald Trump has often said in recent months that he wants to see Canada added to the United States as the 51st state. That post was among those deleted not long afterward, and the account has since been suspended. 'The NHL has concluded that Mr. Cifu's X posts were unacceptable and inappropriate,' the league said in a statement, first reported by The Toronto Sun. 'As a result, Mr. Cifu has been suspended indefinitely from any involvement with the Club and the NHL.' Cifu — whose name is etched on the Stanley Cup, part of the group that the Panthers included in that tribute after winning their first title last year — is CEO of Virtu Financial, a company he co-founded with Panthers owner, chairman and governor Vincent Viola in 2008. Cifu will have an in-person meeting with Commissioner Gary Bettman at some point. 'My behavior does not reflect the standards of the Florida Panthers organization and the Viola family,' Cifu said in a statement to Florida Hockey Now. 'I sincerely apologize to all those affected by my comments. I am committed to working with the NHL to amend my actions.' ___ AP NHL:
Toronto Sun
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Florida Panthers exec appears to post vulgar rant on X, calling Canada 51st state
Douglas Cifu appeared to also make comments about Israel and Hamas in a reply to a Maple Leafs fan Vincent Viola, left, and Douglas Cifu, center, talks to Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon after an NHL hockey press conference in 2013. AP Photo A high-ranking Florida Panthers executive appears to have made several disturbing comments on social media Sunday night after watching his team defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 4 of their NHL playoff series. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Douglas Cifu, the team's vice chairman, partner and alternate governor, appeared to take shots at a Leafs fan and Canada in general, while commenting on the conflict between Israel and Palestine in screenshots taken of posts that have now been made private. WARNING: Vulgar language 'Eat s*** 51st state anti-semite loser. Israel now and forever. Until ever (sic) last Hamas rat is eliminated,' the X account allegedly belonging to Cifu posted. A screenshot of an alleged post by Florida Panthers executive Douglas Cifu. Twitter The post was a reply to @mrgrozz, a Toronto sports fan account that has bragged about trolling sports team owners in the past. In the original post which has been reposted as a screenshot, Dr. Grizzo compared the controversial hits by the NHL team to the ongoing conflict in the middle east. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Hey what's worse, using headshots to win a series or using starvation as a weapon to win a war?' the post on X read. Cifu allegedly replied, writing: 'Actually being a whiny dope anti semite is clearly worse. Loser.' 'Not approving of using starvation as a weapon makes me a bigot? Got it,' Dr. Grizzo replied. 'Get some sleep man, market opens early tomorrow. Best of luck frontrunning Robinhood traders you MAGA d*** licker.' After the exchange, the account appearing to belong to Cifu went private. The bio for the account with the handle @Dougielarge reads 'Partner Cup Champ Florida Panthers and CEO of Virtu Financial (VIRT). Shill Team 6 Leader. All tweets mine.' This is followed by the word 'Israel' and five Israel flag emojis. This is not the first time that Cifu has seemingly been caught making disparaging comments online. In a post from the same account on X, Cifu allegedly made disparaging comments about a user by calling them a 'sad creepy loser' and inferring they are 'special needs.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Dude get a life,' the post from March 2024 appears to begin, as shown in a screenshot. 'You sad sack of s***. I'd call your pathetic school district and let them know what a sad creepy loser you are but I'm sure you're special needs and part of a protected class. 'Enjoy your poverty. Dumb f***.' According to the Panthers team website, Cifu also is the CEO of Virtu Financial, which the site boasts is 'one of the nation's foremost providers of financial technology products and services.' Cifu co-founded Virtu with Panthers owner Vincent J. Viola in 2008. Read More Columnists Editorial Cartoons Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto & GTA World
