Ctrl + Alt + Defence

Epizode

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  IAF Foxbats Over Pakistan: The True Story Revealed | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 59 03.10.2026 1h 17min

  For nearly 25 years, the Indian Air Force operated one of the world's fastest and most secretive reconnaissance aircraft in near-total secrecy. The MiG-25 Foxbat could climb beyond 65,000 feet, cruise at more than twice the speed of sound and cross sensitive airspace before an adversary could fully react. But what was it actually like to fly this extraordinary machine? On Episode 59 of #CtrlAltDefence, Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som speak to Air Marshal Sumit Mukerji and Wing Commander Pradeep Jaswant Thakur, two former MiG-25 pilots who reveal what it was like to fly the Foxbat and carry out some of India's most closely guarded reconnaissance missions. Episode 59 Watch now: https://youtu.be/n5blYF7aE1s Flying the MiG-25 at Mach 2.4 and above 65,000 feet The extreme pressure suit and claustrophobic cockpit What happened when the aircraft's skin temperature crossed 300°C Seeing the curvature of the Earth from the edge of the stratosphere The truth behind the legendary 1997 MiG-25 mission over Pakistan The MiG-25's reconnaissance missions during the Kargil War How its cameras captured critical strategic intelligence The extraordinary mission to photograph a total solar eclipse From its extreme operating altitude and blistering speed to its pressure suits, enormous reconnaissance cameras and covert missions, this episode takes you inside one of the most extraordinary chapters of Indian military aviation. India finally retired the MiG-25 in 2006, after nearly 25 years of service. But the stories of the men who flew it, and the missions they carried out in secrecy, remain a remarkable part of the Indian Air Force's history. Watch Episode 59 of #CtrlAltDefence.
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  Uri Surgical Strikes: The Truth Nobody Knows | 10th Anniversary | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 58 26.09.2026 1h 12min

  What really happened behind India's 2016 surgical strikes across the Line of Control? How was the operation planned, what happened inside the crucial meetings before the mission, and what did it take to bring every soldier back safely? On Episode 58 of #CtrlAltDefence, Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som speak to Lieutenant General Satish Dua (retd.), the former Chinar Corps Commander who was at the centre of the planning and execution of the 2016 surgical strikes, in a rare first-hand account of one of India's most significant special forces operations. Ten years after the Uri terror attack and the operation that followed, Lt Gen Satish Dua revisits the decisions, preparations, risks and execution of the mission. Episode 58 Watch now: https://youtu.be/4EiqBT1uU2w How the 2016 surgical strikes were planned after Uri What happened when Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar arrived in Srinagar How the young officers and soldiers for the mission were selected Who chose the targets and how the Army prepared for the operation What Lt Gen Satish Dua saw as the strikes unfolded in real time How the targets were engaged and what happened on the ground Why the unnamed soldiers who carried out the mission remain at the heart of the story Episode 58 takes you inside the operation through the recollections of one of the key commanders at its centre. Watch now.
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  Greatest IAF Pilot's Last Interview | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 57 19.09.2026 1h 5min

  What does it take to face four enemy fighters alone, survive a close-range dogfight and return to base with a damaged aircraft and almost no ammunition? On Episode 57 of #CtrlAltDefence, Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som speak to Flt Lt Alfred Tyrone Cooke, Vir Chakra, one of the most remarkable fighter pilots of the 1965 India-Pakistan War, in what became his final interview. Flt Lt Alfred Cooke passed away on September 18, 2026, just three days after recording this conversation. Episode 57 Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfZ6UBjj2Hw The September 7, 1965 mission that made Alfred Cooke a legend How he took on four Pakistani Sabres over West Bengal The dogfight that saw him shoot down at least one Sabre How he engaged another aircraft at extremely close range Why his Hunter's ammunition configuration became a source of lasting anger His reflections on war, service, sacrifice and the men he fought against Recorded just days before his passing, this episode preserves the extraordinary first-hand account of a fighter pilot who spent decades carrying the memories of one of India's most remarkable aerial battles. From the skies over West Bengal in 1965 to his reflections more than six decades later, Alfred Cooke recounts the mission, the dogfight, the decisions that followed and the reasons he felt his story had never been fully told. This is his final interview. Watch now.
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  India's Nuclear Submarine Story, Arihant's 1st Captain Speaks | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 56 12.09.2026 1h 27min

  What does it take to build, operate and sustain a nuclear submarine? And after INS Arihant, where does India's undersea warfare capability go from here? On Episode 56 of #CtrlAltDefence, Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som speak exclusively to Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahindru (retd.), the first commanding officer of INS Arihant, India's first homegrown nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. Episode 56 Watch now: https://youtu.be/wxUwPjfiKgI How INS Arihant went from years of preparation to its first sea trials The reactor's first criticality and the journey towards full power How India progressively tested the K-15 and K-4 submarine-launched missiles The challenge of acoustic quieting and making submarines harder to detect
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  War's New Epoch Is Here - India Must Leap, Or Lose | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 55 05.09.2026 1h 7min

  India's military is at a once-in-a-century turning point - and drones, AI, autonomy and software could fundamentally change the character of warfare. On Episode 55 of #CtrlAltDefence, Shiv Aroor speaks to Lieutenant General Raj Shukla (retd.) about the technological revolution reshaping modern warfare, the lessons emerging from Ukraine, and why India needs to rethink its military doctrines, force structures and defence spending before it falls behind. Episode 55 Watch now: https://youtu.be/YXpr9hrkPFc Why drones and AI are transforming the character of warfare How autonomous systems and algorithmic warfare are changing the battlefield What Ukraine has revealed about the future of war Why traditional platforms like tanks, artillery and fighter aircraft face a new challenge Why software, data and AI could be as important as weapons platforms Why India needs to rethink its approach to military modernisation Should India redirect a larger share of its defence budget towards drones, AI, autonomy and cyber capabilities? Can India's defence startups scale from promising innovators into major military suppliers? The case for deeper civil-military fusion and greater private-sector participation From Ukraine's drone revolution and autonomous warfare to India's defence startups and military modernisation, this episode examines a bigger question for India's vision ahead.  Watch now.
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  MQ-9B For India: Win Or Waste? | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 54 29.08.2026 53min

  India has signed a ₹1,900 crore deal for two more MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones - but is the capability worth the cost, and what does it mean for India's push for indigenous military technology? On Episode 54 of #CtrlAltDefence, Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som break down the new lease deal, the Indian Navy's experience with the MQ-9B, and the debate over whether expensive foreign platforms are undermining India's own drone programmes. Episode 54 Watch now: https://youtu.be/rdhppF4kbp0 How the Indian Navy is using the MQ-9B for persistent maritime surveillance Why the MQ-9B offers capabilities that India's current indigenous platforms cannot yet match The debate over India's growing dependence on American defence technology What went wrong with the DRDO's TAPAS/Rustom-2 programme Why TAPAS was removed from mission mode after failing to meet key requirements How the Sea Guardian fits into India's wider network of surveillance platforms Can India's private sector build the next generation of MALE drones domestically? Why affordable, expendable and autonomous drones could be just as important The online backlash, trolling and death threats surrounding the MQ-9B debate Capability vs self-reliance: should India buy what it needs now while building for the future? From the MQ-9B Sea Guardian and TAPAS to India's emerging private-sector drone ecosystem, this episode examines the bigger question behind the latest deal: when it comes to defence technology, should India prioritise capability today-or wait for indigenous systems to mature? Watch now.
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  Who's Killing Kaveri & Tejas? | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 53 22.08.2026 1h 3min

  India's indigenous fighter programme was meant to transform the country's combat aviation. So why is the Tejas Mk1A still facing delays, and what does that mean for the Tejas Mk2 and AMCA? On Episode 53 of #CtrlAltDefence, Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor speak to independent defence analyst and aviation photographer Angad Singh about the state of India's fighter aircraft programmes, the problems with project management and accountability, and the long road towards an indigenous jet-engine capability. Episode 53 Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9hvPY2Xre4 Why Tejas Mk1A is still delayed despite engine availability The project management failures behind India's fighter programmes HAL, DRDO and the question of accountability Why India's jet-engine roadmap remains a major concern Tejas Mk2: Can India still make the programme work? AMCA and the uncertainty over its engine roadmap Why the IAF continues to back Tejas despite its problems India's fighter squadron shortfall and the urgent numbers game Does India urgently need a fifth-generation stealth fighter? Kaveri lessons: What went wrong with India's indigenous engine programme Angad Singh on his passion for aviation photography and filming India's fighters From Tejas and AMCA to jet engines, fighter numbers and India's future air-power strategy, this episode takes a hard look at what is working, what is not, and what needs to change in Indian military aviation. Watch now.
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  How Bholari Got BRAHMOS'd | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 52 15.08.2026 1h 6min

  Operation Sindoor put India's air power to the test. But what happened inside the IAF's command rooms as the strikes unfolded? On Episode 52 of #CtrlAltDefence, Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor speak to Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, former Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force and former Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southwest Air Command, about his first-hand experience of Operation Sindoor and the decisions made during the 88-hour conflict.  This episode of Ctrl Alt Defence with Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor was recorded ahead of the release of Declassified: Operation Sindoor, a two-part docuseries on the 88-hour military operation and strategic response following the April 2025 Pahalgam attack. From the war room and air-defence engagements to India's fighter shortfall and the future of combat aviation, this episode offers a rare view of Operation Sindoor from one of the commanders who was there. Watch now.
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  Does India Need More Rafales? | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 51 08.08.2026 42min

  The Rafale deal is moving forward. But behind the headline number lies a much bigger question: how much of this fighter programme can India truly make its own? On Episode 51 of #CtrlAltDefence, Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som discuss France's ₹3.25 lakh crore bid for 114 Rafales, the push to integrate Indian weapons, and the proposed Safran-DRDO engine partnership. Episode 51 Watch now: https://youtu.be/h3cFYeoA12Y France submits its techno-commercial bid for 114 Rafales Why 94 of the fighters are expected to be built in India The push to integrate Astra, BrahMos and other Indian weapons What India needs to make its own weapons work seamlessly on the Rafale Why indigenous weapons integration has become a key part of the deal The proposed Safran-DRDO engine partnership explained Why access to jet-engine technology could matter more than the Rafale numbers What the deal could mean for Tata, L&T and India's wider aerospace industry What India's ₹3.25 lakh crore investment could deliver beyond the aircraft themselves Can India turn a Rafale purchase into a bigger step towards aerospace self-reliance? From the Rafale's weapons and production line to the technology behind India's next fighter engines, this episode looks at what India is actually getting-and what it still needs to build for itself. Watch now.
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  The Indigenous Engine That Could Transform India's Defence | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 50 01.08.2026 1h 9min

  India's quest for indigenous propulsion technology may have reached a turning point. Can a new rotating detonation engine developed by an Indian startup transform the future of missiles, drones, hypersonic weapons—and even space launch systems? On this week's #CtrlAltDefence, Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor are joined by Saurav Jha, founder and CEO of D-Propulse, to decode one of India's most ambitious indigenous propulsion projects and why it could redefine military technology.
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  Project Kusha Explained: India's New Air Defence Shield Alongside S-400 | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 49 26.07.2026 55min

  India has successfully tested its next-generation indigenous long-range air defence system, Project Kusha (Extended Range Surface-to-Air Missile), marking a major milestone in the country's missile programme. Can this become India's answer to the S-400—and eventually protect against stealth fighters like China's J-20? On this week's #CtrlAltDefence, Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor break down India's biggest indigenous air defence project, why Project Kusha matters, and how it fits into India's layered air defence network.  
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  The Stealth Score: China: 500+, India: 0 | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 48 18.07.2026 42min

  A startling new assessment suggests China may already have over 500 operational J-20 stealth fighters-and could field 1,000 by 2030. What does this mean for India's security? On this week's #CtrlAltDefence, Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor examine China's unprecedented military-industrial expansion, the growing air power imbalance, and what India must do to prepare for the future. Episode 48 Watch now: https://youtu.be/d1E1SQMXWpQ China may have over 500 operational J-20 stealth fighters today Why Beijing's fighter production is now outpacing global expectations What China's stealth fleet means for the Indian Air Force Why India still has zero operational stealth fighters Can AWACS, anti-stealth radars, drones and electronic warfare bridge the capability gap? AMCA, Tejas Mk2 and the long road to India's next-generation air power Why industrial capacity-not just technology-will define the future balance of power A detailed look at China's stealth fighter surge, India's air power challenges, and the decisions that will shape the future of Indian military aviation. Watch now.
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  Yeh Dil Maange More | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 47 11.07.2026 39min

  A deeply personal conversation on the life, legacy and enduring spirit of Captain Vikram Batra, PVC, one of India's most celebrated war heroes. On this special episode of Ctrl Alt Defence, Vishnu Som speaks with Vishal Batra, Captain Vikram Batra's identical twin brother, about the man behind the legend-from their childhood and shared dream of serving the nation to the defining moments of the Kargil War that made "Yeh Dil Maange More" a battle cry etched into India's military history. The discussion explores Vishal Batra's new book, Yeh Dil Maange More, which draws on Captain Vikram Batra's personal letters, family memories and untold stories to paint an intimate portrait of the Param Vir Chakra awardee beyond the battlefield. The book traces his journey from a young boy inspired by the Army to the officer who led from the front at Point 5140 and Point 4875 during the Kargil War. Episode 47 Watch now: https://youtu.be/yXCV8ifggk4
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  China's Border Buildup | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 46 04.07.2026 41min

  China's expanding footprint along the India-China border comes under the spotlight on this week's #CtrlAltDefence with Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor. NDTV's world-exclusive satellite investigation reveals new Chinese villages, roads and infrastructure in a part of Arunachal Pradesh occupied by China since 1959.  The podcast raises fresh questions about Beijing's long-term border strategy. Episode 46 Watch now: https://youtu.be/lxs0KDTKTPI NDTV's exclusive satellite images reveal China's construction activities in a remote part of Arunachal Pradesh that it has encroached upon since 1959. New border villages, roads and military-linked infrastructure explained Why these developments matter despite diplomatic engagement between India and China From Ladakh to Arunachal: How Beijing is changing facts on the ground India's border infrastructure push and the race to match China's build-up The McMahon Line, LAC and why the boundary dispute remains unresolved China's military advantage, India's response and the strategic balance along the frontier Can diplomacy with Beijing succeed without stronger military deterrence? A detailed discussion on China's border strategy, India's military preparedness and what NDTV's exclusive investigation reveals about the future of the India-China frontier.
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  India's Jet Engine Blackhole | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 45 27.06.2026 47min

  A deep dive into India's biggest defence technology challenge on this week's #CtrlAltDefence with Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor. We discuss why fighter jet engines remain India's weakest strategic link. Episode 45  Watch now: https://youtu.be/URhJzZI19OM AMCA faces fresh uncertainty amid reports of a GE engine pricing dispute Why India's frontline fighter programmes still depend on foreign engines Tejas Mk2, AMCA and the long-running F414 negotiations explained The Kaveri engine story: where India's indigenous programme fell short Safran vs Rolls-Royce: who could power India's next-generation fighter? How China built a world-class fighter engine ecosystem while India fell behind Why jet engines-not stealth or missiles-remain India's biggest defence technology gap A candid discussion on what India must do to achieve true aerospace self-reliance.  Watch now.
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  Is France's FCAS The IAF's Future? | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 44 13.06.2026 43min

  A fiercely debated episode of #CtrlAltDefence as Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som tackle one of India's biggest defence dilemmas - should India join France's futuristic FCAS fighter programme, or double down on an indigenous solution? Episode 44 of the podcast Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FrVFtWQWAA Should India join the French-led FCAS sixth-generation fighter programme? AMCA vs FCAS: Can India afford two parallel fighter projects? Lessons from the FGFA/Su-57 partnership with Russia China's sixth-generation aircraft and the growing airpower gap Can India realistically develop next-generation fighter technology alone? Engines, stealth, sensors and the technology India still lacks Is FCAS a strategic partnership or simply a very expensive necessity? This episode is a deep dive in the hard choices facing Indian defence planners in an increasingly contested world.  
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  Can HAL Deliver? | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 43 30.05.2026 47min

  A high-intensity episode of #CtrlAltDefence as Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som unpack the crisis, delays and big questions surrounding HAL, Tejas and India's future airpower ambitions - just as HAL gets a new chief at a critical moment. Episode 43 of the podcast Watch now: https://youtu.be/L6bK3cscsF8 Tejas Mk1A delays: What's really holding back deliveries? New HAL Chairman Ravi K takes charge amid mounting pressure Dhruv helicopter setbacks and HAL's credibility challenge Tejas Mk2, AMCA & India's struggle to keep pace with China AI warfare, drone swarms & the future of unmanned combat Can HAL reinvent itself and shed its old PSU culture? Why India may need private players to reshape defence aviation From fighter jet integration issues to sixth-generation warfare, this episode dives deep into the realities, risks and future of India's military aerospace ecosystem.  
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  The Big Boom | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 42 23.05.2026 50min

  A power-packed episode of #CtrlAltDefence as Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som break down India's rapid missile advancements, hypersonic ambitions, MIRV capability, and the future of strategic deterrence. Episode 42 of the podcast Watch now: https://youtu.be/Cw9eowMnT7k India's "Big Boom" moment - major missile tests explained Agni-5 MIRV test signals a major leap in India's nuclear deterrence Scramjet breakthrough pushes India closer to hypersonic weapons Can hypersonic weapons make missile defence obsolete? BrahMos evolution, naval firepower & India's future war doctrine Why modern warfare is becoming impossible to intercept From hypersonic glide vehicles to submarine-launched deterrence, this episode dives deep into the technology shaping India's future battlefield edge.
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  India's Unmanned Bombers/Fighters: A Reality? | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 41 25.04.2026 48min

  A high-stakes, future-facing episode of #CtrlAltDefence as Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor sit down with AI Defence Tech Founder building the next generation of warfare systems. Episode 41 of our podcast Watch now: https://youtu.be/E2CpesS5jfg From viral bomber to cutting-edge combat tech — Suhas Tejaskanda, Founder & CEO of Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace, breaks it all down: India's first unmanned bomber concept Drone warfare after Operation Sindoor Loitering munitions, swarm drones & autonomous combat systems Inside YAMA and next-gen counter-drone tech Electronic warfare, GPS jamming & why most drones fail in real combat Why autonomy — not hardware — is the real battlefield advantage The future of warfare is cheaper, smarter, autonomous — and already here. Watch now.
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  Who Is Winning The War? | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 40 04.04.2026 36min

  A gripping episode of #CtrlAltDefence as Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor cut through the fog of war with hard data and on-ground insight. *Episode 40 of our podcast * Watch now: https://youtu.be/yQ_1guQ6lk8 5 weeks into the conflict — numbers tell a very different story U.S. claims vs battlefield data — what's really happening? Iran's missile & drone attacks continue despite heavy strikes Interceptor missiles running low — less than 12 days of buffer in worst-case scenarios War of attrition: both sides burning through critical resources Gulf nations taking the biggest hit — not just Israel Civilian infrastructure increasingly targeted — a dangerous escalation Data, not noise — decoding who's actually gaining ground War is messy, complex, and far from over — watch now