The Indian Navy is poised to enhance its maritime capabilities significantly with the upcoming induction of the INS Vagsheer, the sixth submarine in the Kalvari-class series, projected to join the fleet in January 2025. This advanced hunter-killer submarine represents a vital addition to India’s naval strength, particularly in light of ongoing security concerns in the region, especially from China and Pakistan.

The INS Vagsheer is named after the Sand Fish, a deep-sea predator, symbolizing its intended role as a formidable presence in maritime operations. Launched on April 20, 2022, from the Kanhoji Angre Wet Basin at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai, this submarine is part of Project 75, a significant initiative aimed at bolstering India’s underwater warfare capabilities.

Equipped with cutting-edge navigation and tracking systems, the submarine boasts a robust arsenal featuring torpedoes and anti-ship missiles. Its diverse operational capabilities include anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, area surveillance, and mine-laying, making it a versatile asset for the Indian Navy.

With a length of 221 feet and a height of 40 feet, the INS Vagsheer features impressive specifications, including an underwater speed of 35 kilometers per hour and a surface speed of 20 kilometers per hour. These attributes are designed to facilitate stealthy and precise attacks, further enhancing the Indian Navy’s dominance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Prior to its induction, five other submarines from the same class have already been commissioned, reinforcing the country’s strategic maritime posture. The operational capabilities of INS Vagsheer are expected to play a crucial role in deterring potential threats from adversaries, ensuring that India’s naval forces remain vigilant and ready in a dynamic security landscape.

In a thought-provoking address in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, retired Army Major General GD Bakshi delivered a staunch critique of caste-based politics in India, emphasizing the need for national unity. His comments came during an event aimed at addressing the ongoing issues related to caste divisions even after 78 years of Independence.

Bakshi highlighted that the concept of caste was introduced by the British to implement a “divide and rule” strategy. He expressed dismay that, despite decades of independence, caste politics continues to plague the nation. “Hum sab Bharatiya hain… We all are Indians!” Bakshi declared, asserting that the notion of caste does not exist within the Indian lexicon, pointing out that the term originated from a Portuguese word, ‘casta.’ He questioned the essence of Indian identity by asking, “If I am Bakshi, you are Gupta, other is Singh, then who here really is an Indian?”

Emphasizing the dangers of division caused by caste, Bakshi advocated for reservation policies to be based on economic criteria rather than caste affiliations, arguing that genuine unity among all Indians can only be achieved by moving past these outdated divisions.

Bakshi did not shy away from addressing political figures, subtly criticizing former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for labeling Hindutva as a “disease.” Without directly naming her, he retorted, “Sabse badi bimari to wo khud hain!….She herself is the biggest disease!” His assertion was that Mufti’s leadership had led the nation to experience significant challenges.

The conversation then shifted to the Agniveer program, which was introduced by the central government in June 2022. Bakshi expressed that the initiative had been rushed and lacked thorough planning. Drawing on his personal experiences from the Bangladesh War, he stated, “When I was fighting the war with Bangladesh, its tenure was 7 years. At present also, the tenure should be increased from 4 years to 7 years.” He stressed that extending the serving period would benefit both the soldiers and the armed forces.

Bakshi also raised concerns over the rising instances of attacks on Hindus and temples in Bangladesh, calling for a collective struggle to protect religion and culture. He urged a sense of solidarity among the Indian populace, asserting that overcoming divisions based on caste and religion is essential for building a robust and prosperous nation.

The event served as a platform for Major Bakshi to articulate his commitment towards preserving Indian culture and advocating unity among its diverse communities. He concluded his remarks with a powerful call for collective action, encouraging all Indians to unite for a brighter future.

India’s indigenous light tank has marked a significant achievement after successfully firing multiple rounds at varying distances at a high altitude exceeding 4,200 meters. The Defence Ministry announced this development, highlighting the tank’s consistent accuracy during these trials. Designed with a weight of 25 tons, the Indian Light Tank (ILT) is intended to strengthen the Indian Army’s operational capabilities along the border with China, particularly in mountainous regions.

This latest round of testing follows a phase-one trial conducted in arid desert conditions in September. The successful high-altitude trials underscore the ILT’s versatility and readiness for deployment in challenging terrains, which are characteristic of the frontline areas.

The Indian Army is planning to integrate over 350 light tanks into its contemporary military strategy, primarily focusing on mountainous border areas where mobility and firepower are essential. The development of the ILT is also viewed as a strategic response to similar tank deployments by China in the region.

The tank’s development has been a collaborative effort led by the Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment, part of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in partnership with Larsen & Toubro Precision Engineering and Systems. The joint venture has resulted in design and developmental phases progressing swiftly since the tank was conceived three years ago.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the collaborative efforts of the DRDO, the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, and L&T for their contributions to the successful high-altitude trials. Furthermore, the Indian Air Force demonstrated the ILT’s airlift capabilities, showcasing its potential for rapid deployment to remote areas where access is limited due to challenging logistics.

Looking ahead, following the internal performance trials—which received active support from both the Indian Army and Air Force—the ILT is slated for additional evaluations prior to undergoing user trials. This next phase will further assess its operational feasibility and readiness for active service.

Notably, DRDO Secretary and Chairman Samir V Kamat expressed his congratulations to the entire team behind the light tank’s development, reflecting a shared confidence in its placement within India’s defense framework.

In a significant demonstration of bilateral military cooperation, President Droupadi Murmu awarded the honorary rank of ‘General of the Indian Army’ to Nepal’s Chief of Army Staff, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, during a ceremonial event held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. This momentous occasion took place on December 12, and was marked as a celebration of the commendable military contributions that General Sigdel has made towards fostering the long-standing friendship between Nepal and India.

According to a statement from the President’s office, this honorary rank has historical precedence, with a tradition of bestowing such titles on the army chiefs of Nepal and India dating back to 1950. The honor was presented to General Sigdel in recognition of his military prowess and his efforts to strengthen the close ties that have historically existed between the two neighboring countries.

The ceremony was attended by several key military and defense officials, including the Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and other high-ranking officers from the Indian armed forces. General Sigdel, who is currently on an official visit to India, has been engaged in discussions aimed at enhancing the defense collaboration between the two nations.

General Sigdel’s impressive military journey began when he was commissioned into the Nepali Army in February 1987, and he has since commanded various units, including independent infantry battalions and roles in counterinsurgency operations. He assumed leadership of the Nepali Army as Chief of Army Staff in September 2024. His citation lauded him for his selfless service, integrity, and commitment to excellence, which have earned him esteemed recognition not only in Nepal but also in Indian circles.

Earlier in a reciprocal gesture, Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel conferred the honorary rank of ‘General of Nepal Army’ on Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, highlighting the mutual respect and cooperation characterizing defense relationships between the two nations.

General Sigdel’s visit from December 10 to 14, 2024, emphasizes the ongoing efforts aimed at deepening defense cooperation and solidifying the partnership between Nepal and India, reinforcing the importance of military and strategic ties in maintaining regional stability.

In a remarkable achievement for the Indian academic community, Rishabh Bhattacharya, a third-year student at the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Hyderabad, has secured first prize at a prestigious Indian Navy event. His innovative algorithm, designed to enhance navigation and real-time tracking of aerial objects such as drones, has earned him a cash award of Rs 3 lakh. The accolade was announced during Swavalamban 2024, an event focused on innovation and indigenisation organized by the Indian Navy.

Bhattacharya’s optical flow tracking algorithm has been praised for its ability to achieve sub-pixel accuracy, a critical feature that allows for precise motion estimation and tracking. The algorithm also effectively navigates environmental challenges such as poor lighting conditions, rapid object movements, and intricate textures.

The Swavalamban seminar, held in October, featured a nationwide competition aimed at addressing various operational challenges through technological innovation. Participants were invited to tackle problem statements that encompassed a range of topics, including swarm drone coordination and maritime situational awareness, with Bhattacharya choosing to focus on the navigation and tracking of flying objects.

Drawing inspiration from his prior research presented at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) 2023, Bhattacharya emphasized the importance of resilience in technological solutions. “One of the criteria laid out was for the solution to demonstrate resilience to varying lighting conditions, rapid movements, and complex textures while maintaining efficiency on platforms like drones or embedded systems,” he said.

Creating an algorithm capable of functioning effectively under these constraints was no easy feat, particularly given the inherent unpredictability of flying objects. Bhattacharya explained the complexities involved in tracking such objects necessitated sophisticated detection and tracking mechanisms that could operate in real-time.

To overcome a lack of comprehensive datasets, he innovatively merged a flying objects dataset from Sekilab—containing planes, helicopters, and birds—with a user-generated UAV dataset from the platform Kaggle. By employing semantic separation techniques, he generated a synthetic dataset that could simulate varied motion scenarios, making the dataset versatile and rich for training purposes.

The combined dataset, totaling 7.7 gigabytes, is set to be released publicly, providing a valuable resource for the wider research community. In a bid to enhance algorithm performance under challenging environmental conditions, Bhattacharya integrated a framework he had developed earlier, known as Gated Differential Image Processing (GDIP). This framework optimizes object detection models, such as YOLOv8, making them more adept at operating in low-visibility situations like foggy weather.

The model underwent training with the comprehensive dataset over 50 epochs and was fine-tuned for real-time applications, achieving a processing speed of approximately two milliseconds per frame. Rigorous testing confirmed its reliability in varying lighting conditions, complex textures, and unpredictable movements.

Bhattacharya credits his success in part to his experiences at the Machine Learning Lab, where he worked under the guidance of Dr. Naresh Manwani. He recalled engaging discussions on research papers that helped shape his final solution. The seminar provided an invaluable opportunity for Bhattacharya to present his work directly to Navy admirals and commanders, who expressed genuine interest in potentially integrating his solution into operational frameworks.

“Meeting Navy officials who appreciated and discussed my work was an inspiring moment,” Bhattacharya remarked, reflecting on the significance of his accomplishment and the potential impact of his research on future maritime operations.

In a significant advancement for the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities, a ‘steel cutting’ ceremony was conducted at the L&T yard in Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu, heralding the production of the second fleet support ship (FSS) as part of a broader initiative to fortify naval replenishment at sea. This development aligns with a ₹19,000-crore contract signed by the defence ministry with Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) in August 2023 for a total of five such vessels.

The ceremony on Wednesday took place eight months after the initial steel cutting of the first FSS at HSL in Visakhapatnam. The new vessels are designed to provide essential supplies—fuel, water, and ammunition—to the navy’s warships during missions, effectively expanding their operational range and endurance without the need to return to port.

Highlighting the collaborative efforts within India’s maritime industry, the navy emphasized the importance of the public-private partnership model. HSL has engaged L&T Shipyard for part of the construction of two fleet support ships, which is expected to optimize the country’s shipbuilding capabilities while adhering to tight delivery timelines.

The navy anticipates the delivery schedule to commence with the first vessel in mid-2027, followed by subsequent ships delivered at intervals of ten months. The FSS vessels are projected to be 225 meters in length and 32 meters in width, with a displacement of 40,000 tonnes. When operational, these vessels are expected to significantly augment the navy’s ‘blue water’ capabilities, facilitating prolonged naval operations without the necessity of returning to shore.

In addition to their primary mission, the fleet support ships will also be equipped to assist in humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) operations, reflecting the navy’s commitment to versatile maritime engagement.

The project is poised to enhance India’s shipbuilding sector, with a focus on indigenous design and sourcing, in alignment with government initiatives like Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and Make for the World. The sustained investment in these fleet support ships is part of the navy’s overarching strategy to become fully self-reliant by 2047, coinciding with the country’s celebration of a century of independence.

Moreover, this initiative is projected to create substantial employment opportunities, generating nearly 168.8 lakh man-days over the project’s eight-year timeline. The Indian Navy currently operates four fleet support vessels, commissioned between 1996 and 2011; thus, the addition of these new ships is essential to meet the increasing demands of naval operations in the Indian Ocean region.

In a significant move towards enhancing India’s defense capabilities, the Defence Ministry has formalized a contract worth ₹13,500 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), based in Bengaluru, for the procurement of 12 Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft along with necessary equipment destined for the Indian Air Force (IAF). This initiative is a part of the government’s broader objectives to bolster self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

The addition of these 12 Sukhoi-30 jets will bolster the IAF’s fleet, which currently comprises 260 such aircraft. The new acquisitions are primarily aimed at offsetting losses incurred from previous accidents. The deal reflects a commitment to improving the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force and enhancing national defense preparedness, as noted in the ministry’s statement.

HAL will manufacture the fighter jets at its Nashik division, where an impressive track record includes the production of various MiG variants and the licensed assembly of Sukhoi-30 aircraft since the plant’s inception in 1964. The ministry emphasized that these aircraft will feature 62.6% indigenous content, a significant increase thanks to the indigenization of many components crafted by the local defense industry.

In parallel, a separate ₹7,000 crore contract has been approved for the acquisition of 100 self-propelled K9 Vajra-T guns, produced by Larsen & Toubro with technology transfer from South Korea’s Hanwha Techwin. The Indian Army has already integrated 100 of these advanced artillery guns, initially contracted in 2017 for approximately $720 million, with several units actively operational in Ladakh after adaptations for mountainous terrains.

This latest procurement aligns with a more extensive initiative to modernize the Army’s artillery capabilities. A comprehensive strategy has been developed focusing on improving firepower, precision attacks, and operational quickness, aiming to ensure that artillery regiments are equipped with advanced 155mm systems. This initiative will also introduce longer-range missiles and rockets, sophisticated surveillance and target acquisition systems, and a more streamlined sensor-to-shooter process for rapid targeting.

In a related enhancement of the Air Force’s operational capabilities, the Defence Ministry recently signed a separate ₹26,000 crore contract with HAL for the supply of 240 aero-engines for the Su-30 fighter jets. Production of these engines will occur at HAL’s facility in Koraput, Odisha, with a projected annual delivery of 30 engines. The production is expected to achieve an indigenous content of up to 63% by the completion of deliveries, with technological support sourced from Russia.

Additionally, an extensive upgrade project worth approximately ₹65,000 crore is planned for the existing fleet of Su-30s, which will include the installation of advanced systems such as the Uttam active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, upgraded avionics, and new weapon systems, further consolidating the capabilities of the IAF.

Together, these contracts signal a robust commitment to enhancing India’s defense structure and self-sufficiency in military manufacturing, setting the stage for a more fortified and capable armed forces ready to meet evolving security challenges.