India’s naval power is growing rapidly, with a new indigenous warship or submarine joining the fleet every 40 days, according to Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. Speaking at the India Defence Conclave, he said the Navy’s priority is to strengthen self-reliance and build sovereign capabilities to meet evolving maritime challenges.
The Navy currently operates around 145 warships and submarines and aims to expand to over 200 by 2035. All 52 vessels currently under construction are being built in Indian shipyards. Admiral Tripathi said the Navy’s vision is to extend self-reliance down to the component level and become a fully indigenous force by 2047.
He described self-reliance, synergy, and security as the three essential pillars of a strong maritime power. Modern warfare, he noted, depends not just on ships and submarines but also on technologies like semiconductors, secure data links, and innovation networks that shape industrial and information ecosystems.
Tripathi stressed that India’s defence partnerships will be based on shared purpose and principles rather than short-term convenience. The goal, he said, is to combine indigenous strength with purposeful collaboration to build a region that is free, open, and rules-based.
He added that India’s defence strategy has evolved from “Make in India” to “Trust in India,” reflecting growing global confidence in its capabilities. Defence production has more than tripled over the past decade, surpassing ₹1.5 lakh crore last year.
Admiral Tripathi also highlighted India’s MAHASAGAR vision Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions, which promotes maritime cooperation across the Global South. The Indian Navy is implementing this vision through coordinated patrols, surveillance, humanitarian missions, and regional exercises that build trust and interoperability across the Indo-Pacific.
