There are now 150 ships and submarines in the Indian Navy and Armed Forces. The notion of the Indian Navy’s perspective-planning in terms of “force levels” has changed from focusing on “numbers” of platforms, or the traditional “bean-counting” mindset, to one that emphasises “capabilities.”
The yard just received a contract to build LCUs in addition to currently building sophisticated anti-submarine corvettes. Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is working on the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, our most ambitious ship to date, in the south. Our top shipyard in Mumbai, Mazagon Docks Ltd, is working on constructing stealth Shivalik Class and Kolkata Class destroyers in addition to P-15B destroyers. At MDL, Scorpene Class submarines are also being built. Goa Shipyard Limited has developed advanced versions of these vessels, which has built many Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Navy and the Coast Guard.
India appears to be updating its nuclear and military capabilities while keeping an eye on China. Nuclear deterrence and no first use of force are India’s avowed policies. However, India is determined to put all of China within striking distance, as seen by the modernisation programme, particularly the ballistic missile programme.
India is becoming more and more assertive militarily. It still faces challenges from Pakistan, China, internal militancy, Maoists, and terrorist groups on both the eastern and western fronts. At this time, India is undergoing a significant military modernisation and overhaul and preparing for the worst-case scenarios. To make it’s military a potent force to counter these challenges, India has been creating new military technologies quickly, purchasing what is needed, and producing weapons, aircraft, naval vessels, etc. India’s development of ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons has alarmed some of its rivals. Additionally, the accelerated pace of defence equipment acquisitions and commissioning demonstrates that India is attentive to threats and seeks to modernise and strengthen the military.
The fifth-largest Navy in the world is the Indian Navy. Its fleet includes corvettes, destroyers, frigates, amphibious warfare ships, nuclear-powered submarines, conventionally powered submarines, aircraft carriers, and tactical submarines. The Navy was essential to India’s triumph over Pakistan in the war of 1971, and it is also essential to protecting India’s interests in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, South China Sea, etc.
