Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan addressed the audience at the prestigious News18 DEFCON 2026 conference held in New Delhi, detailing the Indian Navy’s extensive and transformational journey towards achieving self-reliance.

Speaking on the theme of indigenous defence capabilities, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan highlighted the significant experience India has accumulated over decades in constructing advanced naval platforms domestically within local shipyards.

He noted that more than 100 warships, submarines, and specialised naval vessels have been successfully constructed within the nation, showcasing the immense engineering progress of the domestic shipbuilding ecosystem.

During his address, the Chief of the Naval Staff underscored the imperative of long-term strategic foresight, emphasising that future maritime capabilities must be meticulously designed and produced locally to maintain tactical superiority.

The high-level discussions at News18 DEFCON 2026 brought together prominent defence leaders, policy architects, and industry partners to trace India's transition from an import-dependent military towards an indigenous power.

A major focus of the forum was exploring how Indian defence production can expand its footprint to position the country as a highly trusted global defence exporter and collaborative partner.

Delving into the history of indigenous warship design, the Indian Navy established its internal Directorate of Naval Design decades ago, enabling the domestic construction of complex platforms ranging from small patrol boats to massive surface combatants.

Among these achievements is the construction of the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, built at Cochin Shipyard Limited at an estimated cost of ₹20,000 crore ($2.4 billion), measuring over 45,000 tons in displacement.

The navy’s self-reliance mandate is heavily supported by major public sector shipyards in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Goa, alongside private sector shipbuilding facilities that build warships for blue-water operations.

Strategic initiatives driven by the Ministry of Defence, including Make in India and dedicated technology development funds, have accelerated the participation of private firms and defence Start-Up entities in critical sectors.

Advanced weapons systems, sonar suites, radar units, and communication equipment are increasingly sourced from local manufacturers in major industrial nodes like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune.

To further bolster domestic production, the navy currently targets complete self-reliance in its ship acquisition pipeline, ensuring that all future vessels under construction remain almost fully indigenised.

These ongoing technological developments and strategic procurement shifts highlight the Indian Navy's ultimate objective to secure maritime boundaries using indigenous technology, modern innovation, and domestic manufacturing strength.

Agencies