Ctrl + Alt + Defence

Епизоде

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  How Bholari Got BRAHMOS'd | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 52 15.08.2026 1ч 6мин

  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 42мин

  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 1ч 9мин

  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 55мин

  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 42мин

  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 39мин

  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 41мин

  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 47мин

  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 43мин

  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 47мин

  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 50мин

  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 48мин

  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 36мин

  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 
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  Vishnu Som's Operation Sindoor Book Is Here! | CTRL ALT Defence Ep 39 21.03.2026 47мин

  Vishnu Som's The Sky Warriors: Operation Sindoor Unveiled delivers a riveting, bone-chilling chronicle of the 88-hour air war that permanently altered South Asia's military balance in May 2025. With a career spanning the Kargil heights in 1999 to the Rafale era, Vishnu combines sharp tactical analysis with gripping combat storytelling. Centered on Operation Sindoor—the IAF's crushing "heavy hammer" response to the Pahalgam terror attacks—the book elevates the conflict far beyond a simple border clash, presenting it instead as a masterclass in multi-domain warfare. Vishnu's crisp journalistic voice converts complex topics like BVR engagement envelopes and S-400 interception logic into prose that races with the intensity of a low-level fighter sortie.  Grab your Amazon copy: https://bit.ly/4uGYvsX Also available at book stores near you! 
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  Shahed Drones: Winning Iran The War? | CTRL ALT Defence Ep 38 14.03.2026 47мин

  A fascinating new episode of #CtrlAltDefence as Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som decode the battlefield impact of Iran's Shahed drone. Episode 38 of our podcast https://youtu.be/e3uZUTfrVMU Iran's Shahed drone often called the "AK-47 of the skies" Estimated cost: $20,000-$25,000 per drone Intercepting it can cost up to $1 million in missiles Cheap UAVs challenging advanced air defence systems Drone swarms could overwhelm missile defences Electronic warfare & jamming key to stopping drones Ukraine emerging as leader in counter-drone tactics What lessons does India need to learn? Modern warfare is changing fast - watch now! 
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  How Iris Dena Was Sunk | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 37 05.03.2026 43мин

  A fantastic episode of #CtrlAltDefence. We are joined by a 4-time Kilo Class submarine commander. Episode 37 of our podcast.   Link: https://youtu.be/NFzocTmBPL8 US sub torpedoes Iranian frigate IRIS Dena off Sri Lanka
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  India To Choose Su-57? India To Join FCAS Next? | CTRL ALT Defence Ep 36 28.02.2026 39мин

  Episode 36 of #CtrlAltDefence is here!  LINK: https://youtu.be/CEdu7DK04ck Breaking: India eyes game-changing moves in air power! Potentially acquiring Russia's Su-57 stealth fighters & showing interest in Europe's FCAS 6th-gen program. Here's why this could reshape the skies. Su-57 Acquisition: India may buy 36-40 Su-57E jets in a major deal, including source code access for deep customization. A fast bridge to boost IAF stealth power while AMCA matures!  FCAS Interest: With tensions in the Franco-German FCAS project, India signals strong readiness to partner with France on co-developing true 6th-gen fighters. Jumping straight from 4th to next-gen tech!  Game Changer for IAF: Su-57 delivers 5th-gen muscle against regional rivals, while FCAS opens the door to unmanned, AI-driven future warfare. Squadron strength + leapfrog tech = massive edge! Tech Boost: Su-57 source codes enable indigenous upgrades & integration. FCAS collaboration could bring cutting-edge aero engines, stealth design & sensor fusion know-how. DRDO gets a huge R&D acceleration! Global Impact: Playing both Russia & France strengthens India's strategic autonomy in a multipolar world. A bold dual-track strategy that could surprise adversaries and reshape Indo-Pacific air power balance!
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  Rafale vs J-20 Fighter Jets: Who Would Win? | CTRL ALT Defence Ep 35 14.02.2026 38мин

  In Episode 35 of #CtrlAltDefence, hosts Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor break down how India's induction of the 4.5-generation Dassault Rafale is reshaping the air power equation with China. They compare it head-to-head with Beijing's fifth-generation stealth platform, the Chengdu  J-20-examining stealth versus combat experience, long-range missile reach versus real-world operational performance, and what the Meteor-equipped Rafale means for the balance of power in the region.
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  HAL Under Fire: Perform Or Perish? | CTRL ALT Defence Ep 34 07.02.2026 41мин

  In Episode 34 of #CtrlAltDefence, hosts Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor tackle HAL's high-stakes moment: Private sector giants shortlisted to build AMCA prototypes, sidelining HAL for India's 5th-gen stealth fighter. Can HAL deliver capable Tejas Mk-1As on schedule amid delays and scrutiny?  Perform or perish-deep dive now! Pre-order your copy of The Sky Warriors by Vishnu Som now: https://bit.ly/4qnYIht
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  Is The IAF Getting 114 Rafales? | CTRL ALT Defence Ep 33 17.01.2026 44мин

  NEW EPISODE ALERT!  The second episode of the new year is here!   Episode 33 of #CtrlAltDefence with @ShivAroor and @VishnuNDTV has officially dropped!  Topic: Is the IAF set to get 114 new Rafales?