In the era of modern warfare, strength doesn’t always roar from the skies or roll across borders; it sometimes moves silently beneath the ocean. With Project-77, the Indian Navy is making a change in a new age of underwater supremacy, aiming to deploy a fleet of six indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs). This ambitious initiative marks a giant leap in India’s maritime defense capabilities and its strategic standing in the Indo-Pacific region.

Why Project-77 Matters

For decades, India's undersea strength has been limited to diesel-electric submarines and a small number of nuclear-powered strategic submarines like the Arihant-class. While these were critical to deterrence, they were not designed for tactical, front-line combat. Project-77 changes that completely. These new SSNs (Submersible Ship Nuclear) are being built specifically for combat. They are designed to hunt enemy submarines, strike warships, and launch long-range missile attacks while remaining hidden deep underwater. Their nuclear propulsion gives them the ability to stay submerged for months, covering vast distances without surfacing, making them practically invisible and incredibly dangerous to any adversary.

Built in India, for India

One of the most remarkable aspects of Project-77 is its indigenous nature. The submarines are being developed in India with the joint effort of DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation), L&T (Larsen & Toubro), and other Indian defense companies. This is not only a matter of pride but also of self-reliance—ensuring that India does not need to rely on foreign powers for one of its most critical defense systems. This “Make in India” success will also likely create thousands of highly skilled jobs, boost the defense manufacturing ecosystem, and open doors for future innovation and exports.

The Hypersonic Advantage

Perhaps the most game-changing feature of these submarines will be their weaponry, specifically, the deployment of next-generation hypersonic missiles. Currently, India’s older submarines use subsonic cruise missiles, which fly low and slow. These can be easily detected by enemy radars once they breach enemy airspace, reducing the element of surprise and allowing time for interception. But the hypersonic missiles being developed for Project-77 will be a different beast altogether. With speeds that are five times faster than sound, these missiles can cover distances of 1,500 to 2,000 kilometers in minutes. They’ll be almost impossible to track or stop. Imagine a weapon that launches from the deep sea and strikes targets on land or at sea with surgical precision, all without the enemy knowing what hit them. That’s the hypersonic edge.

Tactical, Not Just Strategic

Unlike the Arihant-class submarines (Arihant-class submarines are nuclear-powered, missile-equipped vessels providing India with underwater stealth and second-strike nuclear capability for strategic deterrence), which serve a strategic role (primarily nuclear deterrence), the SSNs under Project-77 are meant for tactical combat missions. That means these submarines won’t just wait for a nuclear war—they’ll be active participants in naval warfare, tracking enemy vessels, launching preemptive strikes, and enforcing maritime dominance during both peace and conflict. These submarines will allow India to patrol forward zones, project power far from its shores, and respond rapidly in times of conflict—whether it's defending island territories, protecting shipping lanes, or showing strength in joint military exercises.

The beauty of a nuclear-powered submarine lies in its invisibility. It doesn’t need to be seen to be effective. It can lie deep under the sea for months, move closer to enemy coasts without detection, and be ready to strike at any moment. That’s the message behind Project-77: India doesn’t need to shout to be heard. Its actions, silent, steady, and strategic, will speak volumes. It’s a story of self-reliance, scientific excellence, and strategic foresight. And perhaps most importantly, it’s a reminder that some of the strongest forces don’t make noise—they simply act when the moment is right.