https://www.scmp.com/rss/523253/feed The latest news and top stories on Rajiv Kumar Narang. A Senior Fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, he is a former Indian Air Force helicopter pilot and a qualified Flight Safety and Accident Investigator. He has a PhD in International Relations, and has written books and reports on unmanned aerial vehicles, self-reliance and counter-drone systems. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju India is finally set to induct its first two Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets later this month, replacing its ageing MiG-21 fleet after decades of delays and marking a milestone in its bid for military self-reliance, but analysts warn overreliance on foreign engines and production bottlenecks remain pressing concerns. Defence Secretary RK Singh announced the coming delivery on Saturday during a summit in New Delhi, describing it as part of a broader effort to build indigenous defence capabilities. The... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3324066/indias-military-self-reliance-dream-takes-flight-first-tejas-mark-1a-jet-deliveries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3324066/indias-military-self-reliance-dream-takes-flight-first-tejas-mark-1a-jet-deliveries?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Sep 2025 10:30:09 +0000 Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju As India shores up military upgrades with a 670 billion rupee (US$8.7 billion) defence package after its clash with Pakistan in Operation Sindoor, observers say New Delhi should be more transparent in its scope of foreign-bought equipment amid a push for self-reliance. The latest security splurge was approved on August 5 by the Defence Acquisition Council, under Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, aimed at delivering defence equipment across the army, navy and air force. The package will come under... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3321470/indias-us87-billion-defence-splurge-sparks-calls-clarity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3321470/indias-us87-billion-defence-splurge-sparks-calls-clarity?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Aug 2025 10:20:46 +0000 Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system has reportedly drawn interest from at least 15 countries spanning from Asia to South America after its use in cross-border strikes against Pakistan enhanced the global profile of the Indian weapons industry. While security experts acknowledge the growing clout of the industry, they say sustaining this momentum would require broader expertise, less reliance on foreign technology and more supportive policies to realise India’s potential as a global... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3318809/india-gets-global-buyer-interest-brahmos-missile-asia-south-america?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3318809/india-gets-global-buyer-interest-brahmos-missile-asia-south-america?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Jul 2025 08:30:14 +0000