1. INSV Kaundinya embarks on her maiden voyage 

The Indian Navy’s stitched sailing vessel INSV Kaundinya has embarked on her maiden overseas voyage on December 29, sailing from Porbandar in Gujarat to Muscat in Oman. The journey will symbolically retrace ancient maritime routes that once connected India with West Asia and the wider Indian Ocean world, testing traditional shipbuilding techniques that predate modern navigation by more than a millennium. 

The voyage marks a rare operational deployment of a vessel built entirely using ancient stitched-plank technology, with no engine, no metal fastenings and no modern propulsion systems. The ship will rely solely on wind and sails, recreating the conditions under which Indian mariners once undertook long-distance oceanic voyages.

2. President Draupadi Murmu takes a sortie in INS Vaghsheer

President Droupadi Murmu embarked on the Indian Navy’s indigenous Kalvari-class submarine INS Vaghsheer at the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka. The President undertook a sortie on the Western Seaboard.

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi accompanied the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. This maiden sortie onboard a Kalvari-class submarine by President Droupadi Murmu is only the second by an Indian President, after former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. INS Vaghsheer (S26) was commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 15 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai, marking the completion of Project 75 Scorpene-class submarines.

3. DAC meeting to be held today

The final meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council will be held today, chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh. The meeting, originally scheduled for December 26, was postponed due to scheduling constraints and rescheduled for December 29. Major defence procurements and acquisitions are expected to be cleared.

4. Pakistan FM admits Nur Khan Base was attacked

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, during his year-end press briefing, confirmed that India had targeted the Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi’s Chaklala area, damaging a military installation and injuring personnel.

Dar said India sent multiple drones into Pakistani territory within a 36-hour window. “They (India) sent drones towards Pakistan. In 36 hours, at least 80 drones were sent. We were able to intercept 79 out of 80. One drone damaged a military installation and personnel were also injured,” he said.

5. China conducts Exercise ‘Justice Mission 2025’ around Taiwan

China’s military deployed army, naval, air force, and artillery units around Taiwan on Monday as part of its ‘Justice Mission 2025’ drills, even as the island vowed to defend democracy and mobilised troops to rehearse repelling a potential Chinese attack, according to a Hindustan Times report.

China’s Eastern Theatre Command said the drills would include live-fire exercises on Tuesday, announcing sea and airspace restrictions across five zones around Taiwan for 10 hours from 8 a.m. This marks China’s sixth major round of war games since 2022, following then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. The exercises come amid heightened rhetoric over Beijing’s territorial claims and 11 days after the US announced an $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan — the largest ever — drawing protests and warnings from China’s defence ministry.

6. Kim Jong Un oversees long-range strategic cruise missile launch

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch of long-range strategic cruise missiles on Sunday, aimed at confirming the credibility of its nuclear deterrent and counter-attack readiness, according to KCNA. South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported on December 29 that South Korea’s military detected the launch of multiple missiles from the Sunan area near Pyongyang on the morning of December 28. The name of the missile remains unknown.

7. Rafael delivers Iron Beam laser system to Israeli Defence Forces

Rafael has officially delivered the Iron Beam laser system to the Israel Defence Forces, marking the world’s first operational high-power laser interceptor. The system has demonstrated its capability in extensive trials, successfully intercepting rockets, mortars, and UAVs.

Iron Beam now joins Israel’s multi-layered air defence architecture alongside Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow. Describing the delivery as a fundamental shift in the defence equation, Rafael highlighted the system’s precision, efficiency, and near-zero cost per interception in a post on X.

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.