Inside India's multi-billion dollar naval push to rival China by 2035: Warships, submarines, frigates & more

Currently, India Navy’s total fleet strength is over 130.

In a boost to the Indian Navy, 17 warships and nine submarines are awaiting approval, according to a report by New Indian Express.

Also, 61 warships and submarines are at various stages of construction in India. The development comes amid India undertaking a major naval expansion with the goal of having a 175-ship navy by 2035, primarily to counter China's growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean.

Sources told TNIE that the Request for Proposal (RFP) of the Rs 70,000 crore project 17 B, for construction of seven Next Generation Frigates, along with the project to construct two Multi Purpose Vessels” is likely to be out soon.

“Project 75-India (I) and Project 75 (add-ons) are under advanced stages of the Cost Negotiation being done by the Committee (Cost Negotiation Committee-CNC),” the source said.

Project 75-I is for the construction of six modern submarines at an estimated cost of Rs 70,000 crore. Meanwhile, Project 75 (add-ons) is for the construction of three Scorpene-class submarines, costing approximately Rs 36,000 crore.

The TNIE report also stated that another project, with a construction cost of approximately Rs 36,000 crore, belonging to the eight Next Generation Corvettes (NGC), is in the pipeline. These projects will result in a cumulative cost of over Rs 240,000 crore once approved.

Commodore Anil Jai Singh (Retd), a defence analyst, told TNIE that the Indian Navy’s planning is based on capability and capacity building, rather than threat perception.

“The addition of warships and submarines is for the replacement of the old platforms with those equipped with modern and improved technologies. These additions are also to cater for renewals,” Commodore Singh said.

Why are these additions important?

Amid the growing maritime threat from China, which currently has 355 warships and submarines, the addition of new capital vessels and boats is significant. Currently, India Navy’s total fleet strength is over 130.

According to reports, the submarine’s underwater fighting capabilities are often plagued by obsolete boats. Although new boats have been added and new projects are in the pipeline, the Indian Navy is currently operating only 12 submarines.

According to Singh, another glaring absence among the projects under construction and those in the pipeline is the destroyers.

The Indian Navy commissioned the Delhi Class destroyers in 1997, and they are in the age group of 25 years. With major overhaul and repairs these can be kept operational for another 10-15 years. However, according to Singh “unless the Project for their replacements are planned today, having a gestation period of more than 7-8 years we may see decline in their numbers in future thus bringing the gaps.”

The Indian Navy has recently received two significant additions to its fleet: INS Tamal, a Russian-built stealth frigate, and Udaygiri, the second stealth frigate under Project 17A.  Both are expected to enhance the Indian Navy's blue-water capabilities and self-reliance.