1. GRSE delivers third ASW-SWC Anjadip to Indian Navy

‘Anjadip’, the third of eight ASW SWC (Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft), indigenously designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, was delivered to the Indian Navy on 22 December 2025 at Chennai.

The ASW SWC ships have been designed and constructed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between GRSE and M/s L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, demonstrating the success of collaborative defence manufacturing.

At approximately 77 metres in length, these are the largest Indian naval warships propelled by waterjets. They are equipped with state-of-the-art lightweight torpedoes, indigenously designed anti-submarine rockets and shallow-water sonar, enabling effective detection and engagement of underwater threats. The ship will strengthen the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare, coastal surveillance and mine-laying capabilities.

2. SSS Defence emerges L-1 in NSG’s 9mm carbine tender

SSS Defence has emerged as the L-1 bidder in the NSG’s 9mm carbine tender. The G-72 SMG by SSS Defence outperformed all competitors in the evaluation process.

The G-72, chambered in 9x19mm, is indigenously designed and can be configured with different barrel lengths: 8.7 inches and a compact variant, based on mission requirements. The barrel can be offered with either chrome plating or a nitride finish to the bore.

The ambidextrous selector doubles as a safety lever, while the side-folding stock locks securely in both positions. A free-floating handguard aids heat dissipation, protecting the user’s hands. With integral rails at the 12 and 6 o’clock positions and M-LOK rails at 3 and 9 o’clock, the G-72 supports a range of accessories such as sights, lasers and grips. Constructed from aerospace-grade aluminium and high-strength steel alloys, it is both lightweight and durable. Integral backup sights and a muzzle brake come standard, with a threaded muzzle allowing easy suppressor attachment.

3. INS Kaundinya to embark on maiden overseas voyage

INSV Kaundinya, the Indian Navy’s pioneering stitched sailing vessel that revives India’s ancient shipbuilding and seafaring traditions, will undertake her maiden overseas voyage on 29 December.

The vessel will be flagged off from Porbandar, Gujarat, for Muscat, Oman, symbolically retracing historic maritime routes that connected India with the wider Indian Ocean world for millennia.

Inspired by depictions of ancient Indian ships and constructed entirely using traditional stitched-plank techniques, INSV Kaundinya represents a rare convergence of history, craftsmanship and modern naval expertise. Unlike contemporary vessels, her wooden planks are stitched together using coconut coir rope and sealed with natural resins, reflecting a shipbuilding tradition once prevalent along India’s coasts and across the Indian Ocean. This technology enabled Indian mariners to undertake long-distance voyages to West Asia, Africa and Southeast Asia long before the advent of modern navigation and metallurgy.

4. India moves closer to BrahMos deals with Vietnam and Indonesia

India has moved closer to signing deals with Vietnam and Indonesia for the export of BrahMos cruise missiles. According to a report by The Times of India, the combined value of the deals is expected to be around ₹4,000 crore (approximately $450 million).

If finalised, Indonesia and Vietnam will become the next countries after the Philippines to induct the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile into their inventories.

5. Trump announces construction of two new battleships

Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago golf club in Florida alongside Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, Donald Trump announced approval for the construction of two new battleships, with a longer-term plan to build up to 25.

“They’ll be the fastest, the biggest, and by far 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built,” Trump said. The USS Defiant is expected to be the first ship of the proposed Trump-class warships. These vessels are planned to be armed with a wide array of weapons, including nuclear-capable and hypersonic missiles, electromagnetic railguns and directed-energy laser systems. The 30,000–40,000-ton displacement ships are described as the centrepiece of a broader naval shipbuilding initiative dubbed the ‘Golden Fleet’.

6. USAF designates Northrop Grumman Talon drone as YFQ-48A

The US Air Force announced the designation of YFQ-48A as the Mission Design Series for Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon semi-autonomous prototype aircraft on 22 December.

The designation marks a significant step in the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme, underscoring the Air Force’s push to rapidly field next-generation capabilities for evolving operational requirements. It highlights the ongoing partnership between the Air Force and Northrop Grumman and recognises the YFQ-48A as a strong contender within the CCA programme.

The CCA programme aims to deliver affordable, advanced semi-autonomous aircraft to complement and augment the Air Force’s manned fighter fleet, enhancing operational flexibility and combat effectiveness in an increasingly contested security environment.

7. US approves sale of 200 F404 engine fans to Spain

The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Spain of F404 engine fans and related equipment, estimated at $200 million, on 22 December.

Spain has requested an additional 200 F404 engine fans. The Spanish Air Force operates 85 F/A-18 Hornet aircraft, locally designated as the C-15, all of which are powered by GE F404 engines.

Chakra Desk

Chakra News is a specialised digital media platform committed to in-depth coverage of India’s defence, national security, geopolitics, and critical technologies.