Ctrl + Alt + Defence

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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This is the most requested episode for Ctrl Alt Defence.

India's Tejas fighter jet has come to represent both ambition and uncertainty. Decades in development and backed by billions in public investment, the aircraft was meant to signal a new era of self-reliance in defence. But with the Tejas Mk 1A yet to enter service, and the Mk 2 still years away, tough questions are being asked.

In this episode of Ctrl Alt Defence, Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor take a clear-eyed look at where the Tejas programme really stands. Is it a capable frontline fighter or just a stepping-stone toward more advanced platforms like the AMCA? What lessons can be drawn from the recent Operation Sindoor? And with China pushing rapidly ahead on sixth-generation aircraft, is India falling behind in the race for air dominance?
Do questions like these go against the idea of 'Atmanirbhar' or these are necessary debates to have? Tune In.

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In this episode of CTRL ALT Defence, Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor analyse the explosive revelation from an Indian Army on China's direct involvement in Operation Sindoor.

For the first time, a senior Indian Army officer has publicly detailed how China provided real-time intelligence to Pakistan during India's cross-border strikes. The Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Rahul Singh, revealed that China not only armed Pakistan, but also gave it satellite data and surveillance inputs during the operation, suggesting a far more active role than previously acknowledged.
What does this mean for India's military strategy going forward?

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In episode 9 of NDTV's CTRL ALT DEFENCE Podcast, Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor break down Operation Midnight Hammer - a historic, 36-hour global strike mission featuring America's B-2 stealth bombers, GBU-57 bunker busters, and over 120 support aircraft. We unpack how this unprecedented operation targeted Iranian nuclear sites, why the B-2 remains unmatched in strategic bombing, and what role fifth-generation fighters and Tomahawk missiles played in shaping the mission's success.

Then we zoom out to ask: Why doesn't India field strategic bombers like the U.S., Russia, or China? Is the Su-30 enough? Are bombers even relevant in modern air combat? From radar suppression tactics to the B-21 Raider, this episode is packed with analysis, insight, and the bigger picture on power projection in 21st-century warfare.

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In Episode 8 of the CTRL ALT DEFENCE  Podcast, Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor ask a hard question: Is India too late with the AMCA stealth fighter? With Pakistan set to receive the J-35 and China already flying sixth-generation prototypes, will India's AMCA—scheduled for induction only by 2035—still be relevant? We explore India's stealth strategy, air defense alternatives, the global stealth race, and the risks of delay. Should India go for a stopgap fighter like the Su-57 or F-35? What are the technological hurdles, and is the AMCA enough for future warfare? Tune in for a deep-dive discussion.

The black box of the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed immediately after take-off in Ahmedabad yesterday has been found. The hardy device which records vital data in an aircraft was found on the roof of the doctors' hostel that was hit by the aircraft. But why was it so important to find this device? And what is a black box or a DFDR? These and many more questions are answered by Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor in the seventh episode of CTRL ALT Defence.

The landmark production transfer agreements announced by Dassault Aviation, which manufactures the Rafale fighter, and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) may be a key first step towards meeting a future Indian Air Force requirement for 114 multi-role fighters. But many have questions. Can we call it 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' or 'Make In india' if only a part of Rafale is being built by Tata? Why have many long-standing jet demands not been fulfilled? Why India needs to change many systems related to manufacturing infrastructure? The questions are heavy but not to worry, NDTV's Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor are here to answer all your queries!

Was Pakistan rational during escalations after Operation Sindoor? Or was CDS Anil Chauhan incorrect? What 'tactical mistakes' did we make? Why did the air force not reveal the exact extent of damage caused to Pakistan? In this bonus episode of CTRL ALT DEFENCE, Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor decode CDS Anil Chauhan's statements to Bloomberg and why it is extremely important to rationalise during war like situations.

Discover the incredible journey of Samtel-an Indian company at the forefront of defence innovation. In this special episode of Ctrl + Alt + Defence, Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor delve into how Samtel is revolutionising India's defence technology and redefining the nation's strategic edge.

In this bonus episode of CTRL ALT Defence, Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor dive into the incredibly important role of Indian-made (or 'atmanirbhar') drones in Operation Sindoor. From tiny reconnaissance UAVs to powerful loitering munitions, Indian drone startups and major companies have transformed warfare in the subcontinent. Discover how these indigenous drones were deployed across the battlefield - from surveillance in PoK to precision strikes on enemy targets - and what this means for the future of drone warfare in India and beyond. Join us as we explore cutting-edge technology, frontline combat stories, and the rising Indian drone ecosystem that's challenging global players.