Livefist

Sharp, award-winning journalism on Indian defence & aerospace | Founded by @ShivAroor, run by new team

[Livefist @livefist]

Holy mackerel.

[Saurav Jha @SJha1618]

Not everyday that one gets to talk about the need for speed with both Shiva and Vishnu. :) Was an absolute pleasure @VishnuNDTV & @ShivAroor . Thank you for the patient hearing folks. Enjoyed it thoroughly.
https://t.co/sQSdYtjPXD

[Shiv Aroor @ShivAroor]

Just wrapped up a special podcast episode with the excellent @SJha1618, who has moved from defence commentary to building India’s future military aero engines. (No, seriously!).

50th episode of #CtrlAltDefence drops tomorrow.

[Livefist @livefist]

India’s Kusha LRSAM test-fired for the first time.

[Shiv Aroor @ShivAroor]

BIG! 🚨

India conducts successful maiden flight-test of KUSHA Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile. The Kusha system is roughly India’s version of the S-400.

Splendid to hear the weapon is off the ground! Congratulations to the team 👏🏽

[Shiv Aroor @ShivAroor]

Lovely shot of IAF Rafales quenching their thirst from an Il-78M tanker en route to Australia.

Reminder that IAF still fully dependent on old tankers & spent 20 fruitless years trying to get new-gen tankers.

Full podcast: https://t.co/vFFuOmFDog

[Shiv Aroor @ShivAroor]

500 vs ZERO 🚨

The Alarming Stealth Fighter Gap That Could Define The Next India-China War

I write for @NDTV https://t.co/4LVQWgCUp6

[Shiv Aroor @ShivAroor]

BIG BREAKING 🚨

Indonesia to be first foreign customer of India’s Astra Mk1 air-to-air missile. Deal to be discussed during PM @NarendraModi’s ongoing visit. https://t.co/9mK1wl8LXx

[Livefist @livefist]

BREAKING:

[Livefist @livefist]

Honest view ⚠️

The sudden slew of reports you’re seeing in Indian media on GE 3xing the price of its F414s for India’s AMCA, and India’s ADA scouting other engine sources is a joke. This is ADA planting its views in media, trying to generate some pressure during negotiations. Oldest, most useless trick in the book. GE knows India is locked in on the F414. And India WILL end up paying what is asked or near that figure. That’s the price of import dependency and failing over generations to commit to building your own engine. Make your peace with such BS until you bite the bullet and refresh/build out the Kaveri.

[Livefist @livefist]

DRDO conducts successful flight-test of Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile

[Livefist @livefist]

We have a pretty low bar for what “history” & “operational flexibility” are. 🥲

[Shiv Aroor @ShivAroor]

BREAKING ⚠️

It’s official! India recently concluded a long-delayed BrahMos missile export deal with Vietnam, confirms Defence Secretary RK Singh. Indonesia next in line for a BrahMos deal. https://t.co/R4BGF0ZS2d

[Shiv Aroor @ShivAroor]

NEW PODCAST EPISODE 🎙️

As Hindustan Aeronautics gets a new CMD, @VishnuNDTV & I revisit the challenges facing HAL.

From grounded copters to severely delayed Tejas Mk1A to suing a former HAL spokesperson, we get into it all.

#CtrlAltDefence

Full video: https://t.co/YE21E5Gajt

[Shiv Aroor @ShivAroor]

Some sobering perspective:

🙌🏽 I was 19 years old when the P75I submarine program was approved by the Govt.

💀 I will be 53 years old when the first submarine is delivered according to the below piece by @rahulsinghx;

[Livefist @livefist]

EXCLUSIVE 🚨

3 Months, ZERO Flights.
Year Spent Mostly On Ground.
Testing Deadlock 'Grounds' HAL's Crucial Light Utility Helicopter https://t.co/BhstIUSaL6

[Livefist @livefist]

The Indian military has managed to acquire every helicopter type in 20 years except the ones it needs the most. 🫠

[Shiv Aroor @ShivAroor]

Amazing photo. Army Major General miraculously survives Cheetah 🚁 crash near Leh on May 20 with 2 other officers.

Takes selfie, radiating Army’s irrepressible spirit.

But harsh truth remains—for 2 decades, Army hasn’t got new-gen light 🚁 for high altitude ops. Shameful.

[Livefist @livefist]

DRDO & Indian Navy conduct maiden salvo launch of Naval Anti-ship Missile-Short Range (NASM-SR).

[Livefist @livefist]

This is never going to happen.

[Shiv Aroor @ShivAroor]

🎙️Two years ago, his ‘Indian unmanned bomber drone’ press event went viral, making him the butt of jokes.

@VishnuNDTV & I decided to bring Bengaluru startup Flying Wedge’s founder onto the latest episode of #CtrlAltDefence to dig deeper:

Must watch! https://t.co/REQkXNFoqN