Danger for Pakistan, China: India building its own 'Bunker Buster', can travel up to 5,000 km carrying..., hit underground target at hypersonic speed
India's top defence research agency, DRDO, is now working on two upgraded versions of the long-range Agni-5 missile. These new versions will be able to carry a massive 7,500 kg warhead, known as a bunker buster, which can go as deep as 100 meters underground to destroy enemy nuclear systems, radar stations, weapon storage sites, and command centers. Why this matters now
This news comes shortly after the United States used 14 powerful GBU-57 bombs on Iran's underground Fordow nuclear facility on June 21. That plant was buried 200 feet deep, and the GBU-57 bombs carried 2,600 kg warheads. What's new in the upgraded Agni-5? The current Agni-5 missile can travel up to 5,000 km carrying a nuclear warhead.
The two new versions will have a shorter range of 2,500 km, but they will be specialised for underground targets.
These will strike at hypersonic speed, between Mach 8 to Mach 20which is 8 to 20 times faster than the speed of sound.
The warhead will weigh 7,500 kg, making it more powerful than America's GBU-57, which weighs 2,600 kg.
If successful, this will bring India on par with the U.S., whose largest bunker buster, the GBU-57, weighs 13,600 kg (30,000 pounds). DRDO's new missile could make India one of the very few countries with such advanced deep-strike capability. Why these new missiles are important for India
After Operation Sindoor, India has started focusing more on developing missiles that can destroy underground enemy bunkers. With rising tensions like India-Pakistan issues and the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, India is strengthening its defence systems to be ready for any future threats. What's the Threat? Pakistan and China have built strong underground military bases near their borders.
These bases are often hidden deep under mountains or in high-altitude regions, making them hard to target with regular weapons. How Will These Missiles Help? These bunker-busting Agni-5 missiles will be able to destroy enemy command centers, weapon storage sites, and radar units located underground.
They will be especially useful in hilly and mountainous areas, where traditional missiles may not work effectively.
By developing these powerful missiles, India is making sure it can hit deep, hidden enemy targets quickly and accurately — a major step in securing its borders and staying ahead in regional defence. America's GBU-57: The World's Most Powerful Bunker-Buster Bomb
On June 21, the U.S. carried out a major strike on Iran's underground Fordow nuclear site, using its most powerful bunker-buster weapon — the GBU-57 bomb. This was the first time the U.S. deployed this weapon in a real-world operation.
The GBU-57 weighs 30,000 pounds (around 13,600 kg) and is specially designed to destroy deeply buried bunkers and underground targets. It can penetrate thick layers of rock or concrete before exploding.
According to Lieutenant General Dan Kane, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, it took the U.S. 15 years to develop this bomb. When the Fordow site was discovered in 2009, the U.S. didn't have any weapon strong enough to destroy it. That's when the development of this powerful bomb began. India to launch 52 Defence Satellites in next 4 years
Following Operation Sindoor, India is also planning to boost its space-based defence power. The Indian government has approved a plan to launch 52 special defence satellites by 2029. These satellites will act as 'eyes in the sky' to monitor the Pakistan and China borders 24/7. These satellites will be powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
They will orbit at 36,000 km altitude and communicate with each other to send signals, images, and messages back to Earth quickly and accurately.
The project is being carried out under the Defence Space Agency, as part of the Space-Based Surveillance Phase-3 (SBS-3) plan.
The government has approved a ₹26,968 crore budget for this mission. It was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security in October 2024.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
19 minutes ago
- Business Standard
India-US trade deal awaits Trump's nod ahead of July 9 tariff deadline
The first stage of the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) is now ready and awaiting final approval from US President Donald Trump, according to a LiveMint report quoting sources. The interim deal has been cleared by US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer and could be signed as early as July 8 -- a day before Trump's reciprocal tariff deadline. The development comes after Indian negotiators, led by chief negotiator Rajesh Aggarwal, extended their stay in Washington beyond their initial schedule to bridge gaps over sensitive sectors, particularly agriculture. A key government official told LiveMint, 'Indian negotiators did their best to convince their US counterparts about the domestic sensitivities involved in these sectors. To some extent, the USTR has agreed to India's position on not fully opening up the agriculture sector. Now, it's up to the US President to take the final call.' Agriculture, dairy, genetically modified (GM) seeds, and medical services remain points of contention, with the US seeking greater market access while India looks to protect its vulnerable sectors, as per the report. India-US trade deal: Options on tariffs The US, as per the report, has offered two alternatives on tariff reductions. If India agrees to the US's demands in agriculture and related sectors, its exports could face an additional 10 per cent tariff. 'If India agrees to US demands for greater market access in agricultural goods, dairy and seeds, then Indian goods may face only a 10 per cent additional tariff -- which, while not ideal, is still much lower than what other countries in the Asian region are facing,' a person aware of the talks told LiveMint. If India refuses, tariffs could go up to 20 per cent, which includes the existing 10 per cent baseline and an extra 10 per cent under earlier US measures. Still, this would represent a 6 per cent relief from the earlier proposed 26 per cent duty. Trump's deadline nears The US President, speaking to reporters on July 4, confirmed he had signed multiple letters informing countries of upcoming reciprocal tariffs. 'I signed some letters and they'll go out on Monday, probably 12. Different amounts of money, different rates of tariff,' Trump said, without naming the countries. Although the reciprocal tariffs are scheduled to take effect from August 1, the letters are expected to be sent out on July 8, giving India a narrow window to seal the deal before being hit by new duties. India firm on agriculture, open on other fronts India is pushing for better access for its leather, textiles, and footwear sectors, while resisting demands to lift restrictions on GM seeds and crops. Only Bt cotton is currently approved for cultivation in India, and no GM food crops are commercially grown. US-India trade data Commerce ministry figures highlight the growing trade with the US. In FY25, India's exports to the US rose by 11.6 per cent to $86.51 billion, while imports increased by 7.42 per cent to $45.33 billion. However, US imports fell in May year-on-year, from $3.85 billion to $3.63 billion, while exports grew by 17.3 per cent, led by electronics and smartphones. In contrast, India's imports from China rose by 11.5 per cent in FY25 to $113.46 billion, while exports to China fell by 14.5 per cent, underscoring the trade imbalance. The deal, if finalised, is likely to mirror elements from recent US trade agreements with the UK and Vietnam. While the US retained its 10 per cent baseline tariff in both those cases, it offered some reductions in additional duties. Trade watchers see the India-US agreement as a limited deal focused solely on goods, with services and labour excluded for now. Despite the challenges, negotiators on both sides remain hopeful of concluding an agreement in time to avoid penalties. The ball now lies in Trump's court.
News18
21 minutes ago
- News18
Is Gaza Ceasefire Within Reach? Trump ‘Optimistic' But Here's Where Things Stand
Last Updated: Hamas agrees to a 60-day truce with Israel, raising hopes for a Gaza ceasefire. Trump is optimistic about a deal next week amid international and internal pressure in Israel. After Hamas announced that it had 'submitted a positive response" to a proposal for a 60-day truce with Israel, US President Donald Trump said he's 'optimistic" that a ceasefire deal in Gaza could be agreed next week. 'We have to get it over with," Trump said Friday. 'We have to do something about Gaza." After months of deadlock, an agreement between Israel and Hamas now appears possible, as both sides have agreed to a revised proposal, bridging their long-standing conflicting demands. A truce between Iran and Israel, US pressure, and a change in Israel's war objectives have all contributed to renewed momentum Following the Israel-Iran ceasefire on June 24, mediators Qatar and Egypt, as well as the United States, have redoubled their calls for a new Gaza truce. A Qatari foreign ministry spokesman told CNN the Israel-Iran agreement had created 'momentum" for the latest talks between Israel and Hamas. Netanyahu's government faces growing global criticism for the Palestinian suffering in Gaza amid the ongoing war. Israel imposed a full blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza in March, easing it slightly in May after international warnings of potential starvation for hundreds of thousands of people. In recent days, hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza have been killed by Israeli strikes. And aid distribution has been marred by violence, with hundreds killed on their way to try to obtain food from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the controversial US-backed aid initiative that began operating at the end of May. Netanyahu's government, supported by far-right allies pushing for more aggression in Gaza, faces opposition from leader Yair Lapid, who has offered to join a coalition to facilitate a hostage deal. Notably, polls indicate that a majority of the country wants a deal to bring the hostages home, even if it means an end to the war. Israel's Demands Netanyahu remains committed to his broader objectives, including disarming Gaza and destruction of Hamas' military capabilities and governance abilities, alongside securing the release of hostages. His stance on these maximalist aims hasn't wavered, despite the ongoing conflict. The Prime Minister, last week, shifted his stance, prioritising the safe return of hostages over defeating Hamas, a goal he previously called the 'supreme objective" 'Many opportunities have opened up", Netanyahu said following Israel's military operations in Iran, including the possibility of bringing home everyone still held captive by Hamas. 'Firstly, to rescue the hostages," he said. 'Of course, we will also need to solve the Gaza issue, defeat Hamas, but I believe we will accomplish both missions." What About Hamas? Hamas on Friday announced that it 'submitted a positive response to the mediators, and the movement is fully prepared to immediately enter into a round of negotiations regarding the mechanism for implementing this framework." Hamas has outlined three core demands for a ceasefire agreement. Firstly, they insist on a permanent end to the fighting, ensuring a lasting halt to military operations. Secondly, they want humanitarian assistance to be facilitated without restrictions, potentially involving the United Nations in the process. Lastly, Hamas demands that Israel withdraw its forces to the positions held before March 2, 2025. Proposed Deal Although the fine detail of the proposal is yet to be released, it is clear that the revised plan is an attempt to bridge some of the differences between Israel and Hamas. According to a CNN source, familiar with the negotiations, the timeline of the latest proposal calls for the release of 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 deceased hostages spread out over the full 60-day period. The Israeli Government said that out of the 50 hostages still in Gaza, at least 20 of them are believed to be alive. Under the proposed ceasefire deal, Hamas would release eight living hostages on the first day of the 60-day truce. In exchange, Israel would release an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, and withdraw its forces from pre-agreed locations in northern Gaza. The sources said that Israel and Hamas would also immediately enter into negotiations for a permanent ceasefire once the initial truce goes into effect. According to the proposed deal, Hamas will release hostages discreetly, without public ceremonies or fanfare, as requested by Israel. This approach differs from the previous truce, where Hamas staged public propaganda events around hostage transfers, sparking outrage in Israel. Similar to the previous ceasefire, which began on January 19, humanitarian aid will immediately begin to flow into Gaza at the start of the ceasefire, including from the United Nations and from other aid organisations. This leaves the fate of the US-backed GHF and its role in Gaza unclear. An Israeli official told CNN that the US and the mediators have provided stronger assurances about reaching a settlement to end the war in Gaza as part of the updated proposal, something that, in principle, should address one of Hamas' key concerns. The official did not provide the specific language in the document, but said the wording is stronger than previous assurances. Previous Ceasefires During the 21-month Israel-Hamas conflict, brief ceasefires have cumulatively lasted only about nine weeks. According to the Palestinian health ministry, more than 57,000 people, of whom more than 17,000 are children, have been killed in Gaza during the fighting. The first ceasefire came into effect in November 2023, but lasted only a week. A temporary ceasefire was reached in January 2025, just before Trump's return to the White House, which lasted over 8 weeks. During this period, Hamas released 33 hostages, while Israel freed approximately 50 Palestinian prisoners for each Israeli hostage released. The ceasefire was supposed to transition into a permanent agreement, but Israel broke the truce on March 18, restarting its military campaign to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining hostages. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : donald trump gaza hamas israel Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: July 05, 2025, 20:15 IST News world Is Gaza Ceasefire Within Reach? Trump 'Optimistic' But Here's Where Things Stand
India.com
36 minutes ago
- India.com
India takes big step against US as talks over trade deal continue, Modi govt put this...
India takes big step against US as talks over trade deal continue, Modi govt put this... India Retaliatory Tariff on USA: Taking a big step, the Indian government on Friday proposed retaliatory tariffs against the United States at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The proposal was made in response to American tariffs on the automobile sector on national security grounds. India-US Trade Deal The move has come at a time when both countries are in the advanced stages of inking an initial mini-trade deal. New Delhi had informed the WTO's Goods Trade Council that it the country will reduce concessions or other obligations on some goods imported from the US in response to tariffs imposed on automobiles on the basis of national security. New Delhi's negotiation team, which was led by Special Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Rajesh Agarwal on Monday returned to India from US. Why Did Trump Impose Tariffs As A Safeguard? On India's proposal, WTO has said that under the proposed suspension of concessions or other obligations, tariffs on select products which are manufactured in America will increase. Notably, on March 26, America had imposed a 25 percent tariff on automobiles and auto parts coming from India as a safeguard measure. The tariff came into effect from May 3 this year. Trump had said that his country has been suffering losses in global trade for several years. He states that this step will strengthen country's manufacturing sector as there will be less competition from companies of other countries in the US market. What Was India's Reply? The Trump administration imposed tariffs on various automotive and related goods, including light trucks, cars, and numerous components. These tariffs, however, were not registered with the World Trade Organization (WTO). India contends that these tariffs violate the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 and existing security agreements. Following consultations under Article 12.3 of the WTO's Agreement on Safeguards, India has reserved the right to retaliate by suspending concessions under Article 8.
