India is steadily building a blue-water navy capable of safeguarding its maritime interests and countering regional threats. The Navy’s operational area stretches from the Persian Gulf to the Malacca Strait and from the northern Bay of Bengal to the southern Indian Ocean, reaching the east coast of Africa. A key concern is the combined naval capabilities of China and Pakistan in these waters.
The Ministry of Commerce highlights the strategic importance of India’s seas, noting that 95% of the country’s trade by volume (855 million tons) and 77% by value moves via maritime routes. Protecting these sea lines of communication is critical for national security.
Fleet expansion and future targets
The Indian Navy aims to expand its fleet to more than 200 ships and submarines by 2035, with the possibility of reaching 230 vessels by 2037, a naval officer told TOI. At present, the Navy operates 140 warships, including 17 diesel-electric submarines (11 of them very old) and two nuclear-powered ballistic submarines (SSBNs). Its aviation wing has over 250 aircraft and helicopters.
Plans call for the fleet to grow to 200 warships and 350 aircraft and helicopters over the next decade, accounting for the retirement of aging vessels.
Aircraft carriers and fighter aircraft
In April, India signed a Rs 63,000 crore deal with France for 26 Rafale marine fighters to operate from aircraft carriers. Simultaneously, India is developing its own carrier-based fighter, the TEDBF (Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter), to enhance its indigenous capabilities.
Warship construction and approved projects
Currently, 55 warships are under construction in Indian shipyards at a cost of Rs 99,500 crore. The Navy has also received acceptance of necessity (AoN) for 74 additional warships valued at Rs 2.35 lakh crore. Some key platforms for which contracts are still pending include:
Other vessels awaiting approval include four 10,000-tonne next-generation destroyers and a new aircraft carrier to replace the older 40,000 tonne INS Vikramaditya.
Long-term acquisition plan
Last week, the Defence Ministry released a 15-year acquisition plan for all three forces, including several platforms for the Navy. The plan outlines probable quantities and capabilities:
Indigenous capabilities and economic impact
A senior officer told TOI, “It is not possible to build a large naval fleet overnight, as it takes years of planning and construction. Apart from the P5 (U.S., Russia, China, France, and U.K.), India is the only country that can design, build, and operate aircraft carriers and SSBNs.”
He added, “A single shipyard job creates five to six additional jobs in ancillary industries, and spending on warships has a multiplier effect of 1.8 times on the domestic economy.”
Regional naval challenges
China currently has the world’s largest navy with 370 warships and submarines, while the U.S. leads in overall tonnage. China is rapidly expanding its presence in the Indian Ocean region, securing bases in Djibouti, Pakistan’s Gwadar, and Ream in Cambodia.
China is also assisting Pakistan by providing eight Hangor/Yuan-class diesel-electric submarines equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP), which allows submarines to stay submerged longer. Pakistan currently operates five old Agosta-class submarines, but the new induction will significantly enhance its sea-denial capabilities, according to a naval officer.
Submarine deals and delays
To strengthen its underwater combat arm, India is negotiating for six diesel-electric submarines with AIP and land-attack cruise missiles. The Rs 70,000 crore deal will be executed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in partnership with Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.
Meanwhile, the Rs 32,000 crore project to construct three additional French-origin Scorpene submarines remains stalled. The Navy currently operates six Scorpene submarines, with INS Vagsheer delivered in 2022, along with four German HDW and seven older Russian Kilo-class submarines.
(With inputs from TOI)
The Ministry of Commerce highlights the strategic importance of India’s seas, noting that 95% of the country’s trade by volume (855 million tons) and 77% by value moves via maritime routes. Protecting these sea lines of communication is critical for national security.
Fleet expansion and future targets
The Indian Navy aims to expand its fleet to more than 200 ships and submarines by 2035, with the possibility of reaching 230 vessels by 2037, a naval officer told TOI. At present, the Navy operates 140 warships, including 17 diesel-electric submarines (11 of them very old) and two nuclear-powered ballistic submarines (SSBNs). Its aviation wing has over 250 aircraft and helicopters.
Plans call for the fleet to grow to 200 warships and 350 aircraft and helicopters over the next decade, accounting for the retirement of aging vessels.
Aircraft carriers and fighter aircraft
In April, India signed a Rs 63,000 crore deal with France for 26 Rafale marine fighters to operate from aircraft carriers. Simultaneously, India is developing its own carrier-based fighter, the TEDBF (Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter), to enhance its indigenous capabilities.
Warship construction and approved projects
Currently, 55 warships are under construction in Indian shipyards at a cost of Rs 99,500 crore. The Navy has also received acceptance of necessity (AoN) for 74 additional warships valued at Rs 2.35 lakh crore. Some key platforms for which contracts are still pending include:
- 9 diesel-electric submarines
- 7 next-generation multi-role frigates
- 8 anti-submarine warfare corvettes
- 12 mine countermeasure vessels
Other vessels awaiting approval include four 10,000-tonne next-generation destroyers and a new aircraft carrier to replace the older 40,000 tonne INS Vikramaditya.
Long-term acquisition plan
Last week, the Defence Ministry released a 15-year acquisition plan for all three forces, including several platforms for the Navy. The plan outlines probable quantities and capabilities:
- 4 Landing Platform Docks up to 29,000 tonnes
- 5 fleet support ships of 40,000 tonnes each
- 100 next-generation fast interceptor boats (up to 17 tonnes)
- 20 remotely manned fast interceptor vessels
- 10 nuclear-powered warships
- 20 high-endurance underwater vehicles for anti-submarine warfare
- 2,000 extended-range ASW rockets
- 120+ medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones
- 15 high-altitude pseudo-satellites
- 50+ remotely piloted systems (each with 3 drones)
Indigenous capabilities and economic impact
A senior officer told TOI, “It is not possible to build a large naval fleet overnight, as it takes years of planning and construction. Apart from the P5 (U.S., Russia, China, France, and U.K.), India is the only country that can design, build, and operate aircraft carriers and SSBNs.”
He added, “A single shipyard job creates five to six additional jobs in ancillary industries, and spending on warships has a multiplier effect of 1.8 times on the domestic economy.”
Regional naval challenges
China currently has the world’s largest navy with 370 warships and submarines, while the U.S. leads in overall tonnage. China is rapidly expanding its presence in the Indian Ocean region, securing bases in Djibouti, Pakistan’s Gwadar, and Ream in Cambodia.
China is also assisting Pakistan by providing eight Hangor/Yuan-class diesel-electric submarines equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP), which allows submarines to stay submerged longer. Pakistan currently operates five old Agosta-class submarines, but the new induction will significantly enhance its sea-denial capabilities, according to a naval officer.
Submarine deals and delays
To strengthen its underwater combat arm, India is negotiating for six diesel-electric submarines with AIP and land-attack cruise missiles. The Rs 70,000 crore deal will be executed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in partnership with Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.
Meanwhile, the Rs 32,000 crore project to construct three additional French-origin Scorpene submarines remains stalled. The Navy currently operates six Scorpene submarines, with INS Vagsheer delivered in 2022, along with four German HDW and seven older Russian Kilo-class submarines.
(With inputs from TOI)
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