Indian Navy Undertakes Largest Shipbuilding Drive To Boost Maritime Strength

The Indian Navy is in the midst of its most ambitious shipbuilding programme to date, with 54 vessels currently under various stages of construction across Indian shipyards.

This expansion is central to India’s maritime strategy, designed to safeguard national interests and counter regional threats posed by China and Pakistan.

As the ‘first responder’ and ‘preferred security partner’ in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the Navy is pushing forward India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.

The fleet expansion aims to bolster maritime security, support regional partners, and enhance strategic cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.

Fleet Expansion Underway

Senior naval officials confirmed that shipbuilders are nearing completion of several ships and expect to commission a few within the year.

Shipbuilders plan to join all 54 vessels to the fleet by 2030. India aims to grow its naval strength to over 200 warships and submarines by 2035, with the potential to reach 230 by 2037.

As part of this transition, the Navy plans to commission up to 10 domestically built warships by December 2025, marking one of the largest single-phase inductions in its history.

Driven by the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the Navy’s shift from a ‘Buyer’s Navy’ to a ‘Builder’s Navy’ reflects growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Each project fuels employment across ancillary sectors while reducing dependency on foreign suppliers.

“The Indian Navy has transformed significantly, with a growing number of warships being built in Indian shipyards,” noted a senior official.

This transformation not only boosts naval capability but also supports India’s ambition of becoming a global hub for defence production.

The recent delivery of INS Androth, an Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, highlights this progress.

With over 80% indigenous content, Androth symbolises India’s increasing proficiency in advanced shipbuilding.

INS Tamal: A Strategic Milestone

July 1 marked the commissioning of INS Tamal, a stealth multi-role frigate built in Russia.

As the last major foreign-built warship to enter Indian service, it represents a turning point in India’s naval modernisation. INS Tamal is also the eighth Krivak-class frigate inducted over the last two decades.

The Navy’s shipbuilding programme is more than just an expansion of numbers—it reflects a strategic shift towards long-term maritime autonomy.

As India continues to invest in indigenous capabilities and regional partnerships, the Navy’s growing fleet will play a pivotal role in securing the nation’s interests across critical sea lanes.

Also Read: Agnikul Cosmos Launches India’s First Integrated Rocket 3D Printing Facility