Lt. Gen. Hooda was commissioned into the 4th Battalion of the 4th Gorkha Rifles in 1976. He served initially in Nagaland during the peak of insurgency. As a Major General, Hooda was responsible for counter-insurgency operations in Manipur and South Assam. Between 2012 to 2016, he was stationed in Jammu and Kashmir and ultimately retired as the Army Commander of Northern Command in 2016. During this time, he effectively tackled numerous strategic challenges that emerged on the borders with Pakistan and China. Hooda is a recipient of several prestigious awards including the Vasishta Seva Medal, Ati Vasishta Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, and Param Vishisht Seva Medal for his distinguished military service. In 2019, he authored a comprehensive National Security Strategy document. Today, he is one of India’s foremost commentators on the country’s national security.

Forging a New Frontier: India’s Advances in Ammunition, Artillery, and Small Arms Manufacturing
This report examines India’s defense industry transformation from major importer to emerging exporter, with exports surging from $83 million in 2013-14 to $2.63 billion in