India is building a powerful navy to stand up to China in the Indian Ocean. The goal? A 175-ship navy by 2035. Right now, India has over 130 warships and submarines. But China already has a massive fleet of 355. India knows it needs to grow fast.
And it’s doing just that.
Across the country, 61 warships and submarines are already under construction. Another 17 warships and 9 submarines are waiting for approval. India is not just expanding. It’s upgrading.
Big Projects, Big Budgets
One major project in the pipeline is for eight Next Generation Corvettes, worth around ₹36,000 crore. These ships are smaller but packed with tech and agility.
There’s also Project 17B – seven new frigates and two Multi-Purpose Vessels. This alone is a ₹70,000 crore project. The Request for Proposal (RFP) is expected soon.
Submarines are a big focus too.
- Project 75-I: Six high-tech submarines – ₹70,000 crore
- Project 75 Add-ons: Three Scorpene-class subs – ₹36,000 crore
These efforts together could cross ₹2.4 lakh crore, once approved. This is one of India’s biggest defence investments ever.
Why All This Now?
China’s rising presence in the Indian Ocean is a serious concern. It has submarines patrolling regularly. Its warships are near key sea routes.
India needs to guard its coastlines, ports, and shipping lanes. It also needs to show strength in global waters. A strong navy helps India act, not just react.
Former Navy officer Commodore Anil Jai Singh says this push is more about capability and renewal, not fear. Old ships are being replaced with smarter, faster, tech-driven ones.
What’s Missing?
There’s a catch. India has only 12 submarines in action. Many are old and need updates.
Also, destroyers – big, powerful ships – are missing from new plans. The Delhi-class destroyers were launched in 1997. With maintenance, they might last 10 more years. But there’s no clear plan yet for their replacement.
That could be a problem later.
Fresh Additions
Still, India’s navy isn’t just waiting. It recently got:
- INS Tamal – a Russian-built stealth frigate
- INS Udaygiri – the second stealth frigate under Project 17A
Both are big boosts to India’s blue-water power and Make in India mission.
India is not just reacting to China. It’s preparing to lead in the Indian Ocean. By 2035, with 175 ships, a stronger submarine fleet, and cutting-edge vessels, India’s naval push to rival China will shape the future of Indo-Pacific power.
This is not just a defence strategy. It’s a bold statement.
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