In a major leap for India’s naval strike capabilities, the government has cleared the development of two nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) under the ambitious Project-77. These next-generation submarines will be equipped with supersonic BrahMos and future hypersonic cruise missile systems, significantly enhancing India’s maritime warfare posture.

At the forefront of this indigenous defence push is Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which will partner with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Shipbuilding Centre in Visakhapatnam. L&T, known for its critical role in the Arihant-class nuclear submarine programme, will once again lead the design and construction of key components, including the pressure hulls, likely at its Hazira facility in Gujarat.

The SSNs under Project-77 are tactical assets distinct from India’s Arihant-class SSBNs, which are built for strategic deterrence. These attack submarines will be designed to undertake deep-penetration strike missions, track adversary warships, and remain undetected during high-risk operations. Powered by nuclear propulsion, they can remain submerged for extended periods and travel faster than conventional diesel-electric submarines.

One of the standout features of the new SSNs will be their weapons loadout. Abandoning slower sub-sonic cruise missiles, the Navy has opted for high-speed offensive capabilities. The submarines will be armed with an evolved BrahMos variant and upcoming DRDO-developed hypersonic missiles, capable of flying at Mach 5 and above. These advanced systems are expected to offer strike ranges of 1,500 to 2,000 kilometres, allowing submarines to engage high-value targets from safe standoff distances.

The Navy’s decision reflects a strategic shift in response to modern integrated air defence networks and contested maritime zones. Sub-sonic missiles are increasingly seen as vulnerable in high-threat environments. According to sources cited by idrw.org, the Navy now views supersonic and hypersonic missiles as essential to ensure survivability and effectiveness during future conflicts.

With the Indo-Pacific becoming a zone of heightened geopolitical contestation, the induction of high-speed, stealth-enabled attack submarines will enhance India’s maritime deterrence posture. Project-77 marks a pivotal step in the country’s efforts to modernise its underwater fleet and project power across strategic sea lanes.

In a rare and significant development, the chiefs of India’s Army, Navy, and Air Force came together today to jointly address senior military officers, underscoring the strategic importance of joint operations in the context of future warfare. The high-level meeting marked the first such combined appearance of the top brass since Operation Sindoor.

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh took the stage to speak to officers from all three services on a single platform. The unified address focused on the preparedness, coordination, and evolving nature of warfare, highlighting the critical role of integrated operational planning in ensuring national security.

The service chiefs reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening synergy among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. They emphasized the importance of seamless coordination across maritime and air domains, especially in the face of emerging multi-domain threats and rapid technological advancements in warfare.

The Indian Army, sharing a post on social media platform X, stated, “Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, CNS and Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, CAS addressed senior military officers on conduct of joint operations, while reaffirming their resolve towards Tri-Service synergy. The address focused on joint operational planning, with emphasis on integrated maritime and air warfare in future battle scenarios.”

This joint interaction is seen as a vital step in advancing India’s tri-service integration agenda, which has gained momentum after the operational and strategic lessons learned during recent military engagements and exercises.

In a development that has triggered fresh security concerns in the subcontinent, Pakistan is reportedly accumulating nuclear fuel in quantities that surpass the requirements for its stated policy of minimum nuclear deterrence. This revelation has been made by Colonel (Retired) Vinayak Bhat, a former Indian Army officer and expert in satellite image analysis, who claims the Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL) facility has been significantly upgraded to enhance uranium enrichment capabilities.

Colonel Bhat, known for exposing Pakistan’s covert nuclear activities in the past, posted a satellite image on social media platform X, stating, “Pakistan, a terrorist nation, is accumulating more nuclear fuel than required for its minimum nuclear deterrence. The signatures at KRL Kahuta strongly indicate that Pakistan has upgraded all equipment and buildings to enhance enrichment and production of fuel for additional nuclear weapons.”

Kahuta, located in the Punjab province of Pakistan, has long been the focal point of the country’s nuclear enrichment program. According to Bhat, recent changes visible from satellite imagery suggest an expansion drive, possibly aimed at producing more warheads.

The Federation of American Scientists estimates that Pakistan currently possesses around 170 nuclear warheads, making it the world’s seventh-largest nuclear power. However, experts at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation have warned that Pakistan is not only maintaining but also actively modernizing its nuclear arsenal. Projections suggest the country could possess between 220 and 250 nuclear weapons by the end of 2025.

Colonel Bhat’s credentials lend weight to the claims. With 33 years of military service, much of it in high-altitude and sensitive regions like Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast, he has also spent over two decades analyzing high-resolution satellite images. His earlier disclosures had brought global attention to Pakistan’s secretive Kirana Hills nuclear facility – a site that later became a target during India’s precision missile strikes under Operation Sindoor.

Pakistan’s delivery systems for nuclear weapons include aircraft, land-based ballistic and cruise missiles, and possibly submarine-launched platforms in the near future. The growing inventory and continued modernization efforts come amid strained relations with India and a fragile domestic economic situation, raising concerns about the country’s nuclear posture and long-term intentions.

International observers and Indian defence analysts are closely watching developments at Kahuta, fearing that Pakistan’s expanding stockpile could alter the strategic stability of South Asia.

In a major blow to Maoist insurgents in Chhattisgarh, a top sniper and deputy commander of the Maoists’ elite Battalion No. 1, Sodhi Kanna, was killed during a prolonged encounter with security forces in Bijapur district, officials confirmed on Monday.

The operation took place in the dense forests of Indravati National Park, a known stronghold of Maoist activity in South Bastar. The gun battle began on July 4 following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of key Maoist units, including the Telangana State Committee (TSC), the National Park area committee, and the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion No. 1.

The encounter lasted nearly 48 hours, with intermittent exchanges of fire. After the conclusion of the operation, the body of Sodhi Kanna was recovered along with a .303 rifle, detonators, and a cache of ammunition.

Kanna, who carried a bounty of ₹8 lakh on his head, played a dual role as sniper and deputy commander within the Maoist military wing. His death is seen as a significant setback to the Maoists’ long-range combat capability in the region, said Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Yadav.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai praised the security forces for their bravery and determination, saying the successful operation reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to eliminate left-wing extremism in Bastar.

According to official figures, at least 415 Maoists have been killed in various encounters across the Bastar division in the past 18 months, marking a steady decline in insurgent strength in one of India’s most troubled zones.

Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has announced that the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMMTTP) is expected to be fully operational by 2027, marking a major boost for connectivity and trade in India’s northeast region.

The ambitious project, developed under the India–Myanmar Friendship Treaty, will drastically reduce the distance between Aizawl in Mizoram and Kolkata by 700 kilometers. It also provides a strategic alternative to the narrow Siliguri Corridor, commonly referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck,” which is the current land link between the northeast and the Indian mainland.

The Shipping Ministry has already invested ₹1,000 crore in developing the waterway components of the project, with other government agencies managing the road infrastructure. The route involves transport on the Kaladan River up to Myanmar’s Paletwa (159 km), followed by a 110 km road link to the Mizoram border, which is under construction and slated for completion by 2027.

Sonowal highlighted that the project aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Act East policy, putting the northeast at the center of India’s regional development and integration with Southeast Asia. He also said the successful execution of Sittwe Port in Myanmar signals the government’s commitment to improving regional trade logistics.

Once operational, the KMMTTP is expected to unlock new trade corridors for Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar, enhancing their access to international sea routes. It will also significantly benefit Tripura by reducing transit time and logistics costs.

Sittwe Port is set to handle exports such as rice, timber, seafood, petroleum products, and garments from Myanmar, while imports will include construction materials like cement, steel, and bricks.