The Indian Navy is set for its largest fleet expansion in a single year, planning to commission 19 warships in 2026. This surpasses last year’s tally of 14 vessels, which included a submarine. Officials say this reflects the unprecedented pace of production and the growing maturity of India’s domestic shipbuilding industry.
Peak of Fleet Expansion
The Navy’s expansion will see the addition of more Nilgiri-class multi-role stealth frigates. The lead ship was commissioned in January 2025, followed by INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri in August 2025, with at least two more expected this year. Other additions include a survey vessel of the Ikshak class and a diving support vessel of the Nistar class.
Integrated Construction and Modern Techniques
The accelerated production is enabled by a new “integrated construction” approach. Ships are built in 250-tonne blocks—including hulls, superstructures, and internal systems—pre-fitted with cables and pipes for seamless assembly. Artificial intelligence optimizes the sequence of construction, material sourcing, and production timelines.
Thanks to these modern techniques, Indian shipyards now build a ship in six years, down from the previous eight to nine years. Advanced design software, AI, and fluid dynamics simulations help predict machinery layout and ship performance. The Ministry of Defence first adopted integrated construction 10–12 years ago.
Strategic Objectives
The fleet expansion supports India’s broader strategic goals, including countering Chinese naval growth, maintaining freedom of navigation in critical sea lanes, supporting regional partners in the Quad and ASEAN, and projecting power across the Indo-Pacific.
Comparing With China
Despite rapid growth, India’s fleet size still lags behind China. While Beijing does not release official numbers, the US estimated China would have 395 ships and submarines by the end of 2025, up from 370 the previous year. A May 2025 report projected China’s navy could reach 435 vessels by 2030, highlighting the scale of regional naval modernization.
