tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post8666854323151256900..comments2024-03-28T05:22:10.255-07:00Comments on Broadsword by Ajai Shukla - Strategy. Economics. Defence.: Checking out the Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) at HAL, BangaloreBroadswordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13076780076240598482noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-59683414009719105442008-04-05T11:40:00.000-07:002008-04-05T11:40:00.000-07:00nice pics shukla! are they copyrighted?come on guy...nice pics shukla! are they copyrighted?<BR/>come on guys, stop condemning them (pakis), or else we'll be no different. we all know about the chinese stickers and their import of every thing from china (apart from the 3 things mentioned). so lets just cut those people off this conversation.<BR/>if u like teasing them so much, join BR or idf.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-7425977559540604592008-04-05T03:54:00.000-07:002008-04-05T03:54:00.000-07:00ROTFL Max!! thats 100% true. paki retards..ROTFL Max!! thats 100% true. paki retards..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-23595961689778283492008-04-04T06:21:00.000-07:002008-04-04T06:21:00.000-07:00@ Pro Pakistanithe typical poakistani butt has a '...@ Pro Pakistani<BR/><BR/>the typical poakistani butt has a 'made in china' sticker. this is because porkistanis cannot make anything except 3 things: (1) Shit (2) urine (3) babies. infact even the babies they make are defective. thats why bulk of porkistani population are lame retards. UK minister says Poakistanis in UK are amongst the most silly people there because of rampant inbreeding. Yucks.<BR/><BR/>Now however porkistan is experimenting with 'made in usa' stickers. because chinese stickers have excessive banned chemicals like lead and sulfur which cause the porkis to get nappy-rash on their butts. so the US sent their 1st consignment of stickers lately. The stickers also came with a mystery-gift. F16 fighters. 1st porki to officially stick the 'made in usa' sticker was musharraf. soon it may find its way on the ordinary porki butt.<BR/><BR/>speculation: chinese exports for FY2009 to decrease a little as ally porkistan is decreasing imports of china made stickers.<BR/><BR/>conclusion: a person who cannot do always condemns a person who does.<BR/><BR/>Max.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-53997040208835810552008-04-04T05:12:00.000-07:002008-04-04T05:12:00.000-07:00Im always wondering why is india silly to waste th...Im always wondering why is india silly to waste their money, sweat and blood to design a new airplane? it is because they have no reliable regional friends. pakistan is smart enough to forge strong bonds with china, thus entitling ourselfs to some of their latest innovations. it thus saves us much needed time and money. now that is called wiseness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-34337942563524377582008-04-01T11:57:00.000-07:002008-04-01T11:57:00.000-07:00Hi, can you please post an article of the Kaveri e...Hi, can you please post an article of the Kaveri engine and the HAL Light Combat Helicopter if its available to you? Thanks a ton.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-2195916226050117052008-04-01T03:57:00.000-07:002008-04-01T03:57:00.000-07:00adding to my prev post...So long before A3 test it...adding to my prev post...<BR/><BR/>So long before A3 test itself BR missile page predicted it would be a 1.8-2m dia missile.<BR/><BR/>When DDM was feeding itself on the bits of "solid fuelled prithvi" test 3-4years ago -- some BRfites were speculating something more sinister.. It stands today infront of us as PAD. <BR/><BR/>Ocassionally trolls stroll in BR. It is just that DDm is rife with them. A few exceptions - Vishnu, TS, Sandeep Unni.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-62563355459303709282008-04-01T03:51:00.000-07:002008-04-01T03:51:00.000-07:00BR vs DDM ?Just type "Trishul test fire" and count...BR vs DDM ?<BR/><BR/>Just type "Trishul test fire" and count the instances which say that Trishul is a "three-meter-long missile having a diameter of 200 cm". Compare that to the detail on BR missile page. <BR/><BR/>Difference stands naked before your eyes<BR/><BR/>-RamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-67197130006825810572008-04-01T03:45:00.000-07:002008-04-01T03:45:00.000-07:00No friend, i dont see the forums. i only see the m...No friend, i dont see the forums. i only see the main page for the latest in defence news. <BR/><BR/>What i say is (in the main page) they just link the top stories to defence stories from other websites (i.e. hindu, toi etc.) Certain websites like frontier india publish their own stories which are pretty reliable!.<BR/><BR/>Its good though, instead of scouting the web, you can find all the day's defence news there. only thing, 3/4 of the time i dont get access to br. thus i more often goto IDRW.<BR/><BR/>i'm sick of forums (like br and idf).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-34173984500645383182008-03-31T20:35:00.000-07:002008-03-31T20:35:00.000-07:00its a discussion forum remember, not a newspaper. ...its a discussion forum remember, not a newspaper. How else do you expect for people to back their arguments with relevant references ? To cut and paste also needs research, time and effort. To make unqualified comments needs neither... Think about itAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-34699137297381608082008-03-31T11:18:00.000-07:002008-03-31T11:18:00.000-07:00THAT BORAT GUY IS REALLY FUNNY. I HATE THIS PLANE....THAT BORAT GUY IS REALLY FUNNY. I HATE THIS PLANE... NOT! ROTFL<BR/><BR/>BR? BHARAT RAKSHAK? HEY THEY JUZ COPY N PASTE ARTICLES FROM OTHER SOURCES RIGHT? HAVE SEEN THEIR PAGE SOME TIMES. BUT FOR THE SAME THING, IDRW IS BETTER. AND HALF THE TIME I CANNOT GET ACCESS TO THAT WEBSITE, GOD KNOWS WHY.<BR/><BR/>SORRY AGAIN ABOUT THE CAPITAL LETTERS. KEYBOARD BAD.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-54734266319984763602008-03-31T10:47:00.000-07:002008-03-31T10:47:00.000-07:00Shukla,About DRDO, while they definitely will have...Shukla,<BR/><BR/>About DRDO, while they definitely will have to share their burden of the reasons for poor performance, the problem is far deeper. It is a systemic and structural problem.In fact given the way the entire defense procurement is organized, and with the huge command economy/socialist edifice driven mill stone that they have to carry and the inevitable problems and structural issues that come from being a typical govt org with multiples pulls and pressures and lack of direction., it is actually amazing that they managed to even achieve what they have until now. In fact, I think they are far more sinned against than sinning. They are just an easy target and a sitting duck on whom it is easy to direct fire. While that might make some feel better, it is going to solve and achieve zilch , without getting the rest of the system fixed..<BR/><BR/>About DRDO's focus or lack of it, part of the reason why they are that is exactly the same reason why the govt in India in general is big and gets involved in making everything from bread to steel, becuase earlier it was assumed that the govt would do everything.. and anything defense, the OFB and DRDO would do , even if it was something as simple as a pair of shoes or winter clothing and tents!.<BR/><BR/>Anyway. Last on this topic from me.<BR/><BR/>-vinaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-23639135766900034602008-03-31T07:12:00.000-07:002008-03-31T07:12:00.000-07:00Vina,I'll just say one thing to close this discuss...Vina,<BR/><BR/>I'll just say one thing to close this discussion from my end: you and I, even while disagreeing, are having a perfectly civil discussion. I don't think that is possible on BR. Over there (and this is not just my viewpoint) it is either an unquestioning loyalty to anything developed in India... or it's the highway.<BR/><BR/>Sorry, but that's not how I do it. I value the right to question the system, even when it's embarrassing to someone. And if that makes someone say: he's in the pay of Pakistan, or France, or Russia, or the US... all I can say is, bye, mate.<BR/><BR/>I absolutely agree that the press writes dumbed down stuff.. but are you surprised? Would you expect a technical article on a fighter project to grace a national newspaper in any country? To make such information accessible to the lay reader, it HAS to be dumbed down. I agree that it must be dumbed down without losing relevance and meaning; that is a skill which we in the media must strive for. <BR/><BR/>I will also defend my colleagues by pointing out that the quality of defence reporting is improving dramatically. It's still not technically adept, but it's a lot --- and I mean a lot --- better than it was, say, five years ago.<BR/><BR/>You're probably right in saying that question marks are sometimes unkindly raised... and that's probably because of the newsroom ethos that bad news is good news. <BR/><BR/>But it would be really easy to argue that the DRDO has been supported by Mera Bharat Mahan types, far beyond the point up to which it deserved to be. The almost unanimous view in the DRDO itself today is that it needs to be far more focused in choosing its projects... that's something that features in the report that has been completed recently. The BR-type unquestioning support of the DRDO has supported a completely avoidable dissipation of effort and funding.<BR/><BR/>But this is a debate that will continue... as India charts its path to defence self-sufficiency. And I'll be on that journey, both criticising... and praising... where I think it's required.<BR/><BR/>cheers!Ajai Shuklahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16488839157370084666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-86154182451050589302008-03-31T03:51:00.000-07:002008-03-31T03:51:00.000-07:00This plane is naiiicccee!! I laik it!This plane is naiiicccee!! I laik it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-77004484129460157642008-03-31T01:52:00.000-07:002008-03-31T01:52:00.000-07:00The kind of research people put in BRF to bolster...The kind of research people put in BRF to bolster their argument is so value creating, just reading the posts makes one understand the issue from all perspectives. I have been lurking there for 8 years now, I don't post there but just enjoy the vast library of technical and non-tech materials regarding Indian security issues. After reading some of the articles there I really find some of the news reports in mainstream media "DDM". The reason I visit this forum is that I can get good quality info, thats all I care for.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-20121552365147640512008-03-31T01:40:00.000-07:002008-03-31T01:40:00.000-07:00Vina,Ajai is entitled to his opinions, notwithstan...Vina,<BR/><BR/>Ajai is entitled to his opinions, notwithstanding the fact that he has done some really good work projecting indigenous development objectively, when most of his colleagues start sniffing failures where there are none (eg. questioning recent agni/K-15 successes) and splash it on the front page like a tabloid with no follow up whatsoever and try to plant seeds of doubt about indigenous capabilities in the minds of the masses. Its good that you are trying to reason with him otherwise about BR and its mission, but lets move on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-14488489026249919832008-03-31T00:54:00.000-07:002008-03-31T00:54:00.000-07:00Shukla,About BRF,the kind of folks BRF attracts an...Shukla,<BR/><BR/>About BRF,the kind of folks BRF attracts and post on a regular basis is very high quality and they come from a very diverse background, scientists, engineers (vast number of disciplines), doctors, IT,economics, business, foreign affairs and strategy and of course the military types and enthusiasts. Many of them live and work abroad (or have done that for sizeable amount of time) and have a much wider experience and world view beyond just India. The quality of the posts there are usually top notch.. That is not something I can say about the journalist fraternity, esp in defense in India. Mass media as a rule has to be dumbed down/toned down (to cater to the masses), but that doesn't condone basic bloopers , gross incompetence , and worse, unprofessional and unethical behavior..<BR/><BR/>About "self appointed gatekeepers" as you call them, you are going to face them in any situation when you challenge entrenched thinking and positions, but the solution is to persevere and make logical sense on which folks can agree on. In fact,even before the media got on to the bash DRDO band wagon, I had done it in BR, and I dare say so have others before me as well, and of course had run ins with the gate keepers. Nothing new there. Stuff that everyone takes for gospel now.. structural reforms, private participation, program mgmt, user involvement, joint/collab development ,concurrent engineering,.. everything was discussed threadbare before the DDM even started talking.. For a long time the media couldn't even think beyond garbage about stuff like "Arjun cant' shoot straight, it overheats, it cant fire FSAPDS, it cant fire missile.. it is unreliable.." and similar stuff about LCA and all the rest of it. much of that rubbish, not even factual and really recycled stuff from mid 80s/to mid 90s and not even current, or some opinion of some former army/airforce/whatever guy involved in the project some 10 years ago being passed of as gospel, rather than actual legwork (which you are doing lately) to do research and get facts and then informed pieces.. <BR/>-vinaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-68571730992064640442008-03-30T02:37:00.000-07:002008-03-30T02:37:00.000-07:00Ajai Shukla: "HAL estimates that the sale price of...Ajai Shukla: "HAL estimates that the sale price of the IJT will be around $10 million per aircraft. That will make it the most competitively priced intermediate trainer in the world."<BR/><BR/><BR/>I thought the Czech Aero L-159 is only $8mil! What's this one's pros in comparison wit that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-20323431831016613172008-03-29T10:58:00.000-07:002008-03-29T10:58:00.000-07:00hey dude, how do you get access to those HAL facil...hey dude, how do you get access to those HAL facilities? know any insiders?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-4684157787194975812008-03-29T02:23:00.000-07:002008-03-29T02:23:00.000-07:00Hi Ajai,You make some very pertinent points on BR ...Hi Ajai,<BR/>You make some very pertinent points on BR & self-appointed high priests - who believe in ideology & shrillness. For those who still disagree, I would like to highlight the monumental disaster US finds itself in Iraq & Afghanistan, because ideology & self righteousness trumped rational decision making. <BR/><BR/>I think many people including you (if I remember right) have commented that most DPSU have not been proactive in assimilating foreign technology. <BR/><BR/>Do you see that changing in any DPSU? Also with increasing competition from private players, is there any change in DPSU attitudes?<BR/><BR/>Thanks & keep up the good work.<BR/><BR/>RamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-50060483101626846842008-03-28T22:39:00.000-07:002008-03-28T22:39:00.000-07:00sniperz11,Do u know about the lates advancements i...sniperz11,<BR/><BR/>Do u know about the lates advancements in filiming techinques? NDTV which claims to be techwise cud have emloyed them to film Vishnu Som fiddling with the controls. I bet the guy was only having a piggyback ride.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-66223023609785812782008-03-28T09:34:00.000-07:002008-03-28T09:34:00.000-07:00http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Aero_L-159_of_C...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Aero_L-159_of_Czech_Air_Force_(reg._6061)%2C_taxiing%2C_Radom_AirShow_2005%2C_Poland.jpg<BR/><BR/>ya.. they look rather similar... but sitara is much more refined. perhaps this is d std look of jet trainers.<BR/>N pls post the answer to snipers11's questions here too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-9420976234911868232008-03-28T08:45:00.000-07:002008-03-28T08:45:00.000-07:00Vina,I will leave the argument for another day and...Vina,<BR/><BR/>I will leave the argument for another day and place, and I'm more than willing to accept criticism personally. But rest assured that when anyone vilifies an entire group --- the DDM phrase for example --- I will defend the press. I will do so because the average intelligence levels that I have encountered in the press (we're talking averages here) are far higher than what I've encountered on sites like Bharat Rakshak, where a bunch of self-appointed high priests use dodgy logic to bludgeon any acolytes who happen to step out of line.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your kind words about how I've developed as a journalist, but I haven't abandoned the views that I put forward earlier on BR. I still believe that the GSQRs of the Arjun tank are misconceived (given the operational environment in which we will fight), and I still believe that the project management skills in most of our high profile project --- like the Arjun and the LCA, to name just two --- have been sadly lacking. I've come to realise that issues like these are not what most people on BR even notice. They would much rather beat the drum of indigenous development of hardware, doesn't matter whether it's needed, whether it's cost-effective, or whether it fits into a larger vision of national defence.<BR/><BR/>In answer to the question about who my "principal employers" are: I don't have any principal employers! I work for Biz Standard; I work for NDTV; I make films independently; I do consultancy work with anyone I consider appropriate. I'm a media consultant at large.<BR/><BR/>cheers!Ajai Shuklahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16488839157370084666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-14287365844630796572008-03-28T06:03:00.000-07:002008-03-28T06:03:00.000-07:00ohh.. ok.. now i know why u ignored the question a...ohh.. ok.. now i know why u ignored the question about the Sitara when I asked u earlier. In fact even another guy asked but u didn't reply.. I was thinking it was shelved or something..<BR/><BR/>Thanks alot anyway 4 the article. I'm waiting for the answers to the questions (Wikipedian) Sniperz11 has asked. Its about what Itoo wanna know. Thanx again!<BR/><BR/>But i was wondering why wait for the russians? if they can't deliver on time, get the engine from GE or P&W or RR.. or somebody else.. Why should HAL wait and keep the plane a sitting duck?<BR/><BR/>Its not that only Saturn has capability 2 manufacture such an engine..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-63935952535576404592008-03-28T03:50:00.000-07:002008-03-28T03:50:00.000-07:00Ajai,Who is your principle employer - NDTV or Busi...Ajai,<BR/>Who is your principle employer - NDTV or Business Standard?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-65428639107471649652008-03-28T03:38:00.000-07:002008-03-28T03:38:00.000-07:00Ajai,Glad to hear about the policy of business sta...Ajai,<BR/><BR/>Glad to hear about the policy of business standard. I think it is a very high quality newspaper and is easily the best business paper in India. I subscribe to it and its coverage of capital markets (important to me and thats why I buy it) and business news is easily the best. I really don't care too much about the "business analysis" part of most papers, but there too the business standard is very good. TN Ninan and the rest of the folks there are top drawer and they are doing a fantastic job of running the paper on clean professional and high quality lines unlike a notable competitor which is now plunging headlong into becoming a pink tabloid, with only the page three missing..<BR/><BR/>The comment that you responded to was mine , btw. Rest assured that I did come across your "opinions" to put it delicately (okay, misinformed , ridiculous and illogical rants actually, and I dare say that if you go back and read some of those objectively, you would agree with that assessment), in a certain place called BR . However I still maintain that this was a "feel good" trip and you didnt go beyond the obvious (or maybe you did , but didn't write/print it, which in effect is the same).<BR/><BR/>To be honest with you, I think you are investing the effort and showing the will to grow as a defense journalist beyond the pathetic state of the vast majority of your colleagues in that field (I am sure you know the word DDM). That is very positive and I wish you all the luck and success in your career going forward. Frankly I had pretty low expectations , going by your early writings, but you have persevered and grown. Always applaud that.<BR/>-vinaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com