Ctrl + Alt + Defence

In this episode of #CtrlAltDefence, we look at a possible order of Russian-designed Su-57 stealth fighters for the Indian Air Force.  An interim buy if it happens, the Su-57 will be India's first stealth fighter until such time as the indigenous AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) becomes available for induction in the mid-2030s.  But should the IAF acquire the Su-57? Does it meet an IAF need? Is the technology good enough or is this a risky buy, even if it is manufactured in India? Can India close the stealth-gap with China which already operates a whopping 300 J-20 stealth fighters? Join Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor on the latest episode of #CtrlAltDfefence.

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It's Indian aviation's most challenging project — AMCA — the stealth Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, the Indian Air Force's future.

Join Vishnu Som and NDTV's Science Editor Pallava Bagla in a conversation with the man leading India's AMCA development programme — Dr. Jitendra Jadhav, Director General of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).

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When will India finally get the Tejas Mk2? When will the first Tejas Mk1A fly? And WHY is Shiv Aroor missing from this episode??? That and more as Vishnu Som explores HAL Tejas manufacturing stages with HAL CMD Dr. D. K. Sunil

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Months after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, the Narendra Modi government has announced India's most ambitious defence upgrade since Independence.

In this episode of CTRL ALT DEFENCE, Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor report on a comprehensive 15-year roadmap prepared by the Ministry of Defence, aimed at transforming the Indian Armed Forces through the infusion of billions of dollars and cutting-edge technology.

A copy of the roadmap, accessed by NDTV, outlines plans for a dramatic overhaul of India's military capabilities - including the induction of nuclear-powered warships, next-generation battle tanks, hypersonic missiles, stealth bomber drones, AI-powered weapons systems, and space-based warfare technologies.

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India's first indigenous mountain tank has arrived. In this episode of the CTRL ALT DEFENCE, Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor bring you an exclusive look at the Zorawar light tank, developed specifically for high-altitude deployment in Ladakh. This is the first time any media organisation has been onboard the platform.
Zorawar is the product of a remarkable collaboration between Larsen & Toubro and the DRDO. Designed and built in just 21 months, the tank is capable of operating in extreme terrain, from deserts to snow-bound valleys. It is amphibious, agile, and equipped with a 105 mm high-elevation gun designed to perform in the Himalayas. And yes, she is also amphibious. 
This is not just a story of hardware, but of intent, speed, and innovation. A new generation of Indian defence engineering is taking shape.
NDTV is proud to present the first in-depth look at the Zorawar.

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Two warships. One historic moment. India commissions INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri, into the Navy's Eastern Command. With enhanced endurance, modern weapon systems, and entirely indigenous design, these ships mark a strategic leap in naval readiness. And NDTV's CTRL ALT DEFENCE duo Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor are aboard the latest Navy vessel, bringing you SUPER exclusive footage and conversations with the two commanding officers - Commodore Vikas Sood of INS Udaygiri and Captain Robin Chakravorty of INS Himgiri. 

This is the first time two frontline warships, constructed by two different shipyards, are being commissioned together. With INS Nilgiri, the lead P17A of the class entering service in January, and her two sister ships Udaygiri and Himgiri entering service today, it's a landmark bonanza for the Navy - three warships of a type entering service the same year and that too within months of each other.

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In this episode of Ctrl+Alt+Defence, NDTV's Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som dive into Project Sudarshan Chakra-India's ambitious new air and missile defense initiative announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech. 

Find out how this multi-layered shield aims to safeguard cities and vital assets using advanced radars, interceptors, and emerging technologies. Shiv and Vishnu decode the strategy, compare it with global systems like Iron Dome, and explain what makes Sudarshan Chakra a game-changer in national security.

In Episode 16 of Control Alt Defence, India's leading podcast on military, aerospace and defence, hosts Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som turn their attention to the MiG-21 fighter aircraft, an icon of Indian military aviation now set for retirement. Joining them is former Chief of Air Staff Birender Singh Dhanoa, who brings valuable insights and in-depth analysis on the fighter jet. 

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In this episode of Control Alt Defence, Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som examine the Indian Air Force Chief's confirmation of Pakistani aircraft losses during Operation Sindoor. Speaking at the LM Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru, Air Chief Marshal Amarpreet Singh stated that six Pakistani military aircraft were destroyed, including five fighters in the air and one surveillance platform at a distance of approximately 300 kilometres, likely using the S-400 missile system.

Lets explore the strategic implications of the strikes, the technology involved, and the broader context of air power in modern conflict. We also address the political narrative surrounding the operation and the Indian Air Force's measured approach to disclosing operational outcomes.

A grounded, analytical look at one of the most significant air operations in recent years.
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Operation Sindoor returned to the centre of national debate this week as Parliament witnessed a stormy session. In this episode of Ctrl Alt Defence, Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor  move beyond the headlines to examine the facts, scrutinise the claims, and ask the questions that really matter.

Did the government really "tie the hands" of the Indian Air Force, as Rahul Gandhi alleged in his speech? Were critical military decisions politically motivated or strategically sound? From remarks by the Defence Minister to references to military attachés, we unpack the claims, counterclaims, and the context behind them.

This is not about choosing sides, but about seeking clarity. Was India's restrained approach a mature strategic decision? What was achieved and what was at risk? And when political statements cross into military matters, who really pays the price?
There's a lot of noise, but in this episode we aim for substance, fact-checking, myth-busting, and a closer look at what was said and what wasn't.

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In Episode 13 of Control Alt Defence, India's leading podcast on military, aerospace and defence, hosts Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som turn their attention to the MiG-21 fighter aircraft, an icon of Indian military aviation now set for retirement. Joining them is aviation historian Anchit Gupta, whose deep research and writing on the Indian Air Force bring valuable insight into the aircraft's six-decade-long service.
The episode explores the MiG-21's complex legacy, its role in shaping India's aerial combat capabilities since 1963, its emotional and cultural resonance, and the persistent controversies around its safety record. With the last of the jets scheduled to retire by September 2025, the conversation separates fact from myth, addressing why the aircraft earned the grim nickname "flying coffin" and what truly lay behind its troubled reputation.
Far from a technical overview, this is a nuanced and historically grounded discussion about an aircraft that has been both revered and criticised, an emblem of India's past and a reflection of its long journey toward modernisation. For those seeking clarity over sentiment, this episode is essential listening.

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What really happened in the cockpit of Air India Flight 171 before it crashed? Two reports by international news agencies, The Wall Street Journal and Reuters, suggest the captain may have cut the flow of fuel to the engines. India's official crash investigator Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has called the reports "irresponsible" but hasn't denied their contents. 

Why hasn't the cockpit voice recording been made public? Is pilot error being scapegoated or is there more to the story?

In this episode of CTRL ALT Defence, join Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor as they break down what we know, what's missing, and why transparency is critical in the Air India 171 crash investigation.

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