India marked a major milestone in quantum technology on June 16, 2025, as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and IIT Delhi successfully demonstrated quantum entanglement-based free-space quantum secure communication over a distance exceeding one kilometre. Conducted through the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) at IIT Delhi, the achievement positions India at the forefront of secure communication technologies critical for future warfare and strategic applications.

Using a free-space optical link on the IIT Delhi campus, the experiment achieved a secure key rate of approximately 240 bits per second with a quantum bit error rate of less than 7%. This effort is part of the project titled ‘Design and development of photonic technologies for free space QKD,’ sanctioned by the Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management (DFTM), DRDO.

The demonstration was led by Professor Bhaskar Kanseri’s research team and witnessed by top officials including DRDO’s DG (MED, COS & CS), Directors of SAG and DFTM, the Dean (R&D) of IIT Delhi, the DIA-CoE Director, and DRDO scientists. The entanglement-assisted approach used in this experiment offers higher security than traditional methods, ensuring that any interception attempt disturbs the quantum state and is detectable by the system.

Quantum communication holds transformative potential across sectors such as defence, banking, and telecommunications, offering fundamentally unbreakable encryption. Free-space Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is particularly valuable as it avoids the need for fiber-optic infrastructure, enabling secure communication even in difficult terrains and urban environments.

India had previously demonstrated an intercity quantum link between Vindhyachal and Prayagraj in 2022 using underground dark optical fiber and followed it with a 100-km quantum key distribution experiment via optical fiber in 2024. These continuous advancements underline the rapid strides being made under DRDO’s 15 Centres of Excellence established across top academic institutions for next-generation defence research.

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and IIT Delhi for this significant leap, calling it a game-changer in future warfare and national cyber security. Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, along with IIT Delhi Director Prof Rangan Banerjee, also extended their appreciation to the research team for pushing the boundaries of quantum communication technology.

In a proud moment that highlights tradition, service, and national pride, the Navad family from Bengaluru has earned a rare distinction — having one member each in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This milestone was formally marked at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, where Anmol Navad, the youngest in the family, was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Indian Army. With this, the Navads now stand as one of the few families in India with representation across all three branches of the armed forces.

A Family Rooted in Service

The head of the family, Air Commodore Vasant Navad, currently serves in the Indian Air Force and is posted at the Integrated Defence Staff in New Delhi. His elder son, Aryan Navad, serves as a naval aviator in the Indian Navy. With Anmol’s recent induction into the Army, the family has achieved a complete trifecta — a living symbol of India’s tri-service strength and unity.

Speaking about this remarkable feat, Air Commodore Navad emphasized the growing relevance of synergy among the three services, particularly in the era of integrated operations. He noted that modern warfare requires seamless coordination across domains — land, sea, air, space, and cyber — and the family’s presence across all branches reflects this evolving strategic vision.

Anmol’s Journey to the Army

For Lieutenant Anmol Navad, the choice to serve in the Army was deeply personal and inspired by the examples set by his father and brother. He described his father as his inspiration and his brother as a constant source of strength and guidance. Their influence shaped his desire to serve the nation in a unique and challenging way.

Anmol, who will be joining the Infantry Regiment, is also an avid runner and squash enthusiast. He credits long-distance running for helping him push his limits, and remembers the grueling Bhadraj trek during his training at IMA as a defining moment in building resilience and mental toughness.

A Tradition That Runs Deep

The legacy of service in the Navad family goes beyond the present generation. Anmol’s maternal grandfather was an officer in the Territorial Army and a recipient of the President’s Medal, adding another layer to their rich tradition of military service.

Reflecting India’s Defence Structure

The Indian Armed Forces are divided into three main branches — the Army, Navy, and Air Force — each with a distinct role in protecting the nation’s sovereignty. The Army secures the land borders, the Navy protects maritime interests, and the Air Force defends the skies. The Navads’ presence in all three services serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of jointness and inter-service cooperation in today’s security landscape.

A Story of National Inspiration

The Navad family’s rare accomplishment is more than just a personal achievement — it is a national inspiration. It showcases the values of discipline, unity, and unwavering commitment to the country. Their story is a beacon for aspiring youth and families across India, proving that with dedication and courage, one can serve the nation in diverse and meaningful ways.

As India adapts to new security challenges and strives for integrated military capabilities, the example set by the Navads offers a glimpse into the future — one where service, sacrifice, and inter-service synergy are more important than ever.

‘Achal’, the fifth Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) in a series of eight being built by Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) for the Indian Coast Guard, was ceremoniously launched today in Goa. The vessel was launched by Smt. Kavita Harbola in the presence of Additional Director General Anil Kumar Harbola, Coast Guard Commander (Western Seaboard).

Designed and built under dual-class certification from the American Bureau of Shipping and Indian Register of Shipping, FPV ‘Achal’ reflects India’s growing emphasis on indigenous defence production. Over 60% of the ship’s components are sourced domestically, aligning with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Measuring 52 meters in length and 8 meters in breadth, the vessel displaces 320 tons and is powered by a controllable pitch propeller (CPP) based propulsion system, enabling a top speed of 27 knots.

With core operational roles including protection, monitoring, control, and surveillance, ‘Achal’ is equipped to guard offshore assets and island territories. It will significantly enhance the Indian Coast Guard’s operational readiness along India’s western seaboard.

The Rs 473-crore project has also provided a boost to the domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem, creating jobs and supporting numerous MSMEs involved in the supply chain.

The launch ceremony was attended by GSL Chairman and Managing Director Shri Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, senior officials from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and representatives from the shipbuilding industry.

The Defence Cyber Agency, under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, has launched a comprehensive cyber security exercise titled ‘Cyber Suraksha’ to enhance cyber resilience at the national level. The exercise began on June 16 and will run until June 27, 2025, involving over 100 participants from key national-level defence agencies and stakeholders.

‘Cyber Suraksha’ is a multi-phased initiative aimed at simulating real-world cyber threats and testing the preparedness and responsiveness of participating personnel in a fast-paced, gamified environment. The exercise integrates structured learning modules with hands-on cyber challenge scenarios, empowering participants to respond decisively to emerging threats.

A key highlight of the exercise is the Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) conclave, which focuses on the strategic leadership aspects of cybersecurity. The conclave includes sessions by eminent experts and culminates in a high-impact Table-Top Exercise designed to enhance coordination and decision-making at leadership levels.

The Defence Cyber Agency has positioned ‘Cyber Suraksha’ as part of its broader strategy to foster a security-first mindset across all levels of the defence ecosystem. The agency plans to hold such exercises regularly to ensure continuous readiness and to promote a culture of proactive cyber defence.

By combining technical training with leadership engagement, ‘Cyber Suraksha’ represents a significant step in India’s efforts to strengthen its cyber infrastructure and respond effectively to evolving cyber threats.

India has increased its nuclear warhead count and advanced its delivery systems, maintaining a strategic edge over Pakistan in the region’s nuclear balance, according to the latest annual report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The report estimates India’s arsenal has grown from 172 warheads in 2024 to 180 in 2025.

SIPRI highlights India’s progress in fielding “canisterised” nuclear missiles—delivery systems that allow warheads to be pre-mounted for quicker deployment, even during peacetime. These new-generation platforms are also expected to carry multiple warheads (MIRVs), dramatically improving their strike capability.

Among India’s key advancements are the Agni Prime (Agni-P), with a range of 1,000–2,000 km, and the Agni-5 missile, which recently underwent a successful test under “Mission Divyastra.” The Agni-5 features Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, enabling it to deliver several warheads to different targets from a single missile, with a range exceeding 5,000 km.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Agni-5 MIRV test as a milestone for indigenous defence development, crediting the scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the achievement.

While India progresses in strategic missile modernization, Pakistan, too, has been developing new delivery systems and accumulating more fissile material. However, its overall nuclear growth remains slower than India’s.

The SIPRI report also referenced a brief India-Pakistan military clash earlier in 2025, raising alarm over the heightened risk of nuclear escalation during conventional hostilities. SIPRI’s associate researcher Matt Korda cautioned that strikes near nuclear-related military sites and deliberate disinformation could dangerously blur lines between conventional and nuclear warfare.

Meanwhile, the report warns that China’s nuclear build-up is outpacing that of India and Pakistan. SIPRI estimates China is adding around 100 new warheads annually and is constructing approximately 350 new ICBM silos. By 2035, China could hold up to 1,500 warheads—though still only a third of the US or Russian stockpiles.

Globally, SIPRI estimates that as of January 2025, there were 12,241 nuclear warheads, with about 9,614 in active military stockpiles and 3,912 deployed. Around 2,100 of these are on high operational alert, mostly held by the US and Russia, though China may now also maintain some warheads on missiles during peacetime.

SIPRI Director Dan Smith warned of a potential reversal in post-Cold War disarmament trends. “China is increasing its nuclear force steadily,” he said, noting that the global arms control framework is weakening, risking a new nuclear arms race.

All nine nuclear-armed countries—the US, Russia, UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel—continued to invest in modernizing their arsenals in 2024. The focus, SIPRI noted, is not only on expanding warhead numbers but also on deploying more sophisticated and survivable nuclear delivery systems.

An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating flight AI315 from Hong Kong to Delhi returned to Hong Kong International Airport this morning after the pilot reported a suspected technical fault while en route over the South China Sea. The aircraft, which had departed earlier in the day, was observed performing a holding pattern before landing safely.

The incident follows closely on the heels of the June 12 crash of another Air India 787-8 in Ahmedabad that claimed 270 lives. In response to that tragedy, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered comprehensive safety inspections of all Dreamliner models in the national fleet, including the 787-8 and 787-9, starting midnight on June 15.

Preliminary data suggests the AI315 crew acted in accordance with international aviation safety norms, choosing to return rather than risk continuation with a potentially compromised system. While the exact nature of the fault remains unconfirmed, the airline has acknowledged the event and is cooperating fully with local aviation authorities.

Aviation experts have highlighted that today’s incident will likely intensify scrutiny on Boeing’s 787 series, particularly in light of longstanding concerns over quality control. In 2021, Boeing engineer and whistleblower Sam Salehpour alleged that defective structural components had gone unaddressed in some aircraft, raising questions about long-term airframe integrity.

Though no injuries were reported on AI315 and the aircraft landed without further incident, the event has further shaken passenger confidence in the 787 fleet. Air India has not announced whether additional aircraft will be grounded pending inspection, but internal safety evaluations are ongoing.