NDTV launched its first-ever dedicated defence podcast, CTRL + ALT DEFENCE, hosted by two of India’s most seasoned defence journalists, Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor. The podcast will feature weekly episodes every Saturday at 6 PM, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and ndtv.com/podcast.
The debut episode which was published on May 17, 2025, titled Drones, Airstrikes, Media Narratives: Weapons of Operation Sindoor unpacks India’s strategic response to the horrific Pahalgam terror attack. It delves into the range of weapons used — from drones and precision airstrikes during the offensive to the advanced defence systems protecting our borders and skies. The episode also explores how media narratives shape public perception in times of conflict, setting the tone for a podcast series that promises to be both compelling and deeply insightful.
At the heart of this podcast is a confluence of frontline experience and sharp analysis. Vishnu Som, with over 30 years of frontline reporting from conflict zones like Siachen, Iraq, and Ukraine, is widely respected for his expertise in military tech and satellite-based defence analysis. Shiv Aroor, a defence journalist who has reported on defence and conflict for 21 years including war reporting from Libya and Sri Lanka brings deep field insight to the table. Together, they bring unmatched credibility and insight into India’s national security landscape. From precision missiles and autonomous drones to high-stakes military decisions, CTRL + ALT DEFENCE explores a wide range of defence and security themes with clarity and authority. With decades of field experience between them from Kargil and Pahalgam to Congo and Ukraine, Vishnu and Shiv offer battlefield perspective layered with journalistic rigour and an accessible, conversational tone that resonates with audiences.
This podcast is not just for defence experts but for anyone curious about how India protects itself — from military strategy and weapon systems to geopolitics and the human stories behind the uniform. War is never just about headlines and breaking news; it’s a multidimensional subject that demands context, technical understanding, and lived experience to truly interpret — and that is precisely what Vishnu and Shiv deliver.
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