Lt Col Manoj K Channan

199 Articles
Lt Col Manoj K Channan (Retd) served in the Indian Army, Armoured Corps, 65 Armoured Regiment, 27 August 83- 07 April 2007. Operational experience in the Indian Army includes Sri Lanka – OP PAWAN, Nagaland and Manipur – OP HIFAZAT, and Bhalra - Bhaderwah, District Doda Jammu and Kashmir, including setting up of a counter-insurgency school – OP RAKSHAK. He regularly contributes to Defence and Security issues in the Financial Express online, Defence and Strategy, Fauji India Magazine and Salute Magazine. *Views are personal.

Exclusive articles:

From Rafales to Self-Reliance: Why India Must Develop Aero-Engines and MRO Capabilities

India’s defence aerospace sector is at a crucial juncture. The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) plan to acquire 114 additional Dassault Rafale fighter jets, potentially...

The Great Delhi Gas Chamber: A Showcase of Governance by Smog

Every year, like clockwork, Delhi turns into a gas chamber. The rituals are familiar: red-eyed citizens coughing under their masks, policymakers appearing on television...

Shadows on the Rupee: Reflecting India’s Structural Fault Lines

The Indian Rupee’s drop to nearly ₹90 against the US dollar in 2025 is more than just an economic fluctuation; it symbolises deep, unresolved...

Honour Finally Acknowledged — But Closure Still Awaits: The Long Journey of OP PAWAN Veterans

For nearly forty years, the veterans of Operation PAWAN have borne a burden few can understand: the weight of sacrifice, heavy memories, unanswered questions,...

Racing Against the Clock: How India Can Achieve Self-Sufficiency in Critical Technologies

India faces a moment where modern warfare, pressure on global supply chains, and tightening geopolitical ties demand faster, more targeted, and more ambitious innovation....

Breaking

The 10% Rule: How SJ-100 and MC-21 Interiors Beat Imported Designs

For twenty-first-century travelers, it is challenging to envision that...

Two Fighters, Two Systems: How F-35 and Su-57 Manufacturing Really Differs  

Fifth-generation fighter aircraft are not simply combat platforms; they...

Modernizing the Tu-214: Smart Move or Strategic Mistake?

The Tupolev Tu-214 is a long-range version of the...

Why It Took Russia 15 Years to Restart Il-76 Military Transport Production

In 2025, the Aviastar facility—an affiliate of PJSC Il...