India is accelerating its naval expansion with the ambitious goal of operating nearly 200 warships by 2035, a move driven by China’s growing Indo-Pacific presence and Pakistan’s modernising fleet.

The expansion is anchored in indigenous shipbuilding under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and enhanced by future technologies such as AI, unmanned systems, and network-centric warfare.

The Indian Navy is undergoing one of the largest fleet expansions in its history. Its long-term vision is to operate close to 200 warships and submarines, a significant increase from the current strength of around 150 vessels. This expansion is not only numerical but qualitative, focusing on stealth, firepower, and multi-domain readiness.

China’s naval dominance, with more than 370 warships including carriers and advanced submarines, has intensified India’s urgency. Pakistan’s acquisition of eight Hangor-class submarines from China, equipped with air-independent propulsion for extended underwater endurance, further complicates India’s maritime security environment. These developments have compelled India to accelerate shipbuilding and commissioning cycles.

Recent inductions such as the Project 17A stealth frigates INS Mahendragiri and INS Dunagiri, along with shallow-water anti-submarine warfare crafts like INS Malvan and INS Anjadip, highlight India’s focus on both blue-water and coastal defence.

The Navy is commissioning a new warship or submarine every six weeks, with 15 vessels planned for induction in 2026 alone. This pace is unprecedented in Indian naval history.

Indigenous shipbuilding lies at the heart of this expansion. The Indian Naval Indigenisation Plan, launched in 2015, is structured around three pillars: float, move, and fight.

Over 90 per cent of hull systems and 60 per cent of propulsion systems are already indigenised, while combat systems are steadily progressing toward self-reliance. Collaboration with DRDO, IITs, private industry, and shipyards such as Mazagon Dock, Garden Reach, and Cochin Shipyard has created a robust ecosystem for naval production.

India’s submarine fleet is also being modernised under Project 75I and Project 77, which aim to deliver advanced conventional and nuclear-powered submarines.

These will complement surface combatants and aircraft carriers, ensuring persistent sea control and deterrence across the Indian Ocean. Maritime aviation, unmanned systems, and forward bases in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep are being integrated into this network-centric force structure.

Future technologies will play a decisive role. Artificial intelligence is being incorporated into combat management systems, enhancing threat detection and decision-making. Unmanned surface and underwater vehicles are being developed to extend surveillance and strike capabilities.

Network-centric warfare will allow distributed fleets to operate cohesively, maximising India’s geographic advantage in monitoring chokepoints and safeguarding Sea Lines of Communication.

India’s naval expansion also has a humanitarian dimension. As a regional first responder, the Navy has escorted hundreds of merchant vessels through high-risk zones such as the Red Sea and continues anti-piracy patrols in the Indian Ocean. A larger fleet will strengthen India’s ability to project stability and provide disaster relief across the region.

Challenges remain, including reliance on imported specialised steel, fragmented supply chains, and technological gaps in sensors and propulsion. However, targeted investments, international collaboration, and a clear roadmap toward full self-reliance by 2047 are addressing these obstacles.

This expansion is not about matching China ship-for-ship but about building sufficient, networked combat power to secure India’s maritime interests. By 2035, India aims to field a balanced fleet of over 200 warships and submarines, capable of safeguarding trade routes, deterring adversaries, and asserting its role as a leading maritime power in the Indo-Pacific.

Agencies