The Indian Navy is preparing to significantly expand and modernize its fleet, with around 17 warships and nine submarines now awaiting building approval. This ambitious plan adds to the 61 warships and submarines already in various stages of construction, demonstrating a consistent drive to strengthen maritime capabilities through domestic shipbuilding.
Several high-value projects worth over ₹2,40,000 crore are now being approved and negotiated. Project 17B, at ₹70,000 crore, plans to build seven Next Generation Frigates and two Multi Purpose Vessels. The Request for Proposal (RFP) for this project is scheduled to be announced soon, marking a significant advancement in indigenous warship manufacture.
For submarine capabilities, Project 75-India(I) stands out as a key project. The project, worth ₹70,000 crore, includes the development of six modern submarines. Project 75 (Add-Ons) will add three more Scorpene-class submarines, costing around ₹36,000 crore. These projects are currently in the advanced stages of cost negotiations, reflecting the scope and complexity of the undertakings.
A important proposal is the development of eight Next Generation Corvettes (NGC), with a projected investment of ₹36,000 crore. Once approved, these projects will significantly improve the Indian Navy’s operational reach and technological advantage.
According to defense analysts, the Navy’s planning is motivated by the need for capability and capacity development rather than simply responding to changing threat assessments. Commodore Anil Jai Singh (Retd) has stated that the installation of new warships and submarines is primarily designed to replace ageing platforms with boats equipped with modern technologies, as well as to allow for periodic renewals.
The modernization program is especially critical in light of the rapid development of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), which now has a fleet of 355 warships and submarines, making it the world’s largest navy. In contrast, the Indian Navy’s entire fleet strength is little over 130 vessels, emphasizing the importance of expedited acquisition and modernization to preserve regional balance and protect maritime interests.
The Indian Navy is increasingly concerned about the obsolescence of its systems, particularly submarines. Despite the introduction of six indigenously produced Scorpene-class submarines, the submarine branch still operates 12 historical vessels, many of which are considered obsolete by modern standards. The ongoing and prospective projects are thus crucial not just for replacing aging boats, but also for increasing the overall fleet size to meet future operational requirements.
One noteworthy gap in current and future purchases is the lack of new destroyer projects. The Navy’s Delhi Class destroyers, which were commissioned in 1997, are now more than 25 years old. While substantial overhauls and maintenance can extend their operational life by another 10-15 years, there is an urgent need to begin replacement projects as soon as possible due to the long gestation period for new destroyers, which can often surpass 7-8 years.
Without prompt action, the Navy fears a drop in its destroyer fleet, which could result in operational gaps, given that destroyers are versatile assets capable of performing offensive and defensive tasks across surface, subsurface, and air domains.
The Indian Navy has defined a clear strategy for a 175-ship fleet by 2035. This goal underscores the strategic requirement to not only replace aging boats, but also to expand the fleet in response to changing maritime threats and the increasing presence of other major navies in the Indian Ocean and beyond.
The Indian Navy’s current and future procurement initiatives constitute a comprehensive attempt to modernize and extend its maritime capabilities through indigenous building. The emphasis on next-generation platforms, together with the replacement of obsolete boats, is critical to ensuring operational readiness and regional maritime security in the future decades.
