ARMCHAIR PERSPECTIVES

The much-anticipated truce talks between the United States and Iran broke down on Sunday. The war, raging since February 28 and which engulfed the entire Middle East and closed a critical global shipping route, now appears to be far from over with both sides using a convenient but temporary détente to arm up and prepare for the next round of missile exchanges.

India has strongly demanded that Pakistan vacate its illegal occupation of PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan and has vowed to reclaim its long-lost territories, but will the region's harsh terrain support a military invasion in the future?

The Indian army has embarked on a breakneck acquisition of towed and self-propelled artillery systems, but is also raising 15 Shaktibaan regiments composed of drones and loitering munitions. With money being invested in both programmes, how does the Regiment of Artillery plan to fight the next war?

The Indian army's infantry regiments inherited .303 Lee Enfield rifles from the British army in 1947, but frequent wars and military engagements have since driven deep changes in technology, introducing new weapons, sidearms, communication equipment and protection suites. The Indian army soldier has had his fair share of battles and gruelling experiences, be it fighting prolonged wars against Chinese and Pakistani militaries, serving in extreme weather conditions, braving ter