Ajey Lele

Deputy Director General, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp Capt (Dr) Ajey Lele’s opinion piece ‘Vikram-1: A success for India’s entire space ecosystem’ has been published in ‘The Space Review’ on 20 July 2026. The successful orbital launch of Vikram-1 marks a defining moment in India’s space journey, demonstrating that the country could emerge as a hub for private launch services in near future, says Gp Capt Lele. Read Complete Article [+] Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India.

Deputy Director General, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp Capt (Dr) Ajey Lele’s opinion piece ‘Skyroot’s Vikram-1 success shows it’s time for ISRO to redefine its role’ has been published in ‘The Print’ on 21 July 2026. India's private space sector has progressed because of the mature ecosystem created by ISRO. Vikram-1's success is not solely an outcome of Skyroot Aerospace's efforts, says Gp Capt Lele. Read Complete Article [+] Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India.

Deputy Director General, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp Capt (Dr) Ajey Lele’s article ‘With Its Reusable Rocket Breakthrough, is China Set to Become a Challenger to SpaceX’s Dominance?’ has been published in ‘The Wire’ on 17 July 2026. LM-10B has been developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, which is the country’s leading state-owned rocket manufacturer involved in designing and developing launch vehicles for commercial missions, writes Gp Capt Lele. Read Complete Article [+] Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India.

China’s rapid progress in nuclear fusion highlights its ambition to emerge as a dominant force in next-generation energy technologies.

• Ajey Lele |
• July 07, 2026 |
• IDSA Comments

There is a need to invest in integrated chemical-biological surveillance, rapid toxicological diagnostics, emergency medical response, and public awareness mechanisms.

• Ajey Lele |
• June 30, 2026 |
• IDSA Comments

Deputy Director General, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp Capt (Dr) Ajey Lele’s article ‘Why the Seizure of More than 1 Lakh Illegal Exotic Cockroaches in Australia is a Big Biosecurity Warning’ has been published in ‘The Wire’ on 19 June 2026.

The introduction of non-native insect species into new environments can have far reaching ecological consequences, Writes Gp Capt Lele.

Deputy Director General, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp Capt (Dr) Ajey Lele’s chapter ‘India’s Growing Stature in the Global Space Arena’ has been published in Clelia Iacomino and Francesco Rosazza Boneitin edited ISPI Report 2026 ‘Space Companies and States: A Two-Horse Race?’. Download Complete Article [PDF]

The successful test of the Agni-5 with MIRV capability serves as a clear signal of India’s credible nuclear deterrence posture.

• Ajey Lele |
• May 11, 2026 |
• IDSA Comments

Deputy Director General, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp Capt (Dr) Ajey Lele’s article ‘India draws a line against China in space’ has been published in Deccan Herald on 09 May 2026. The decision was driven by national security concerns arising from AsiaSat’s links to China, particularly the 50.5% ownership stake held by China International Trust and Investment Corporation (CITIC) Group Corporation, writes Gp Capt Lele. Read article [+]

Deputy Director General, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Gp Capt (Dr) Ajey Lele’s article ‘What’s shaping space race 2.0—minerals on Moon, human colonies, Helium-3’ has been published in ‘The Print’ on 13 April 2026. The Artemis Accords can be seen as an early American effort to shape the legal, technological, and policy frameworks governing access to, and use of, lunar resources, says Gp Capt Lele. Read Complete Article [+] Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India.