Dweep Tulika

By Dweep Tulika Defence Desk The recent crash of an Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 transport aircraft near Jorhat in Assam has once again brought the spotlight onto one of the Air Force's oldest and most trusted workhorses. The accident claimed the lives of five Air Warriors while one crew member survived, prompting the IAF to order a Court of Inquiry into the incident. While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, the tragedy has reignited a broader national debate: How long should military aircraft remain in service, and is India investing enough in replacing ageing platforms? The Backbone of Tactical Airlift The Antonov AN-32 was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1984. Designed for operations in hot and high-altitude environments , the Soviet-origin aircraft became the backbone of India's tactical airlift capability. For more than four decades, the aircraft has transported troops, ammunition, relief supplies, and equipment across some of the most chall...

Development, Strategy and Ecological Concerns Sri Vijaya Puram | May 30, 2026  A remote island. A mega infrastructure project worth over ₹70,000 crore. A location close to one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes. And a debate that continues to intensify across strategic, environmental and public circles. Great Nicobar , once known primarily for its dense rainforests, biodiversity and indigenous communities, is now emerging at the centre of one of India’s most ambitious development visions. The proposed Great Nicobar Project includes a transshipment port, international airport, power infrastructure, township development and connectivity expansion aimed at transforming the island into a major maritime and logistics hub in the Indian Ocean region . Supporters of the project describe it as a strategic opportunity for India. They argue that the project could strengthen India’s maritime presence near the Malacca Strait , reduce dependence on foreign transshipment hubs such as S...