"The figures are dynamic. But the aim now is to have at least 175 warships — if not 200 — by 2035 for credible strategic reach, mobility and flexibility in the IOR and beyond. There will have to be a concomitant increase in the number of fighters, aircraft, helicopters and drones,” a source told the publication.
It is impossible to overlook China's increasing maritime menace. In order to increase its presence in the IOR and the greater Indo-Pacific, the People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) is actively looking for more overseas facilities after Djibouti on the Horn of Africa, Karachi and Gwadar in Pakistan, and now maybe Ream in Cambodia.
“China has inducted as many as 150 warships over the last 10 years. Projections show the PLAN may well reach 555 warships in another five-six years. Chinese aircraft carriers will also begin to operate in the IOR by then,” an officer was quoted as saying by TOI.
The Indian Navy, on the other hand, has yet to receive even the preliminary approval for the building of a third aircraft carrier, which will take more than ten years to complete. Instead of a more powerful and economical 65,000-tonne carrier, the argument is now being made for a smaller 45,000-tonne "repeat order" of INS Vikrant, which is still months away from being combat-ready after being commissioned a year ago.
foozefookie on September 19th, 2023 at 00:05 UTC »
Couching the naval expansion as anti-China is a good way to score points with the Western audience, but it’s important to remember that India straddles the most important sea lanes in the world: trade with east Asia and oil from the Persian gulf both pass through the Indian Ocean before heading to Europe.
This move would give India much greater leverage over the West, and should be treated with caution. Let’s not shoot ourselves in the foot in a blind attempt to counter China.
Speedster202 on September 18th, 2023 at 17:27 UTC »
This naval expansion seems to suggest India, as a growing global power, is seeking to expand it's maritime operations beyond the Indian Ocean, possibly into the Pacific and Middle East. We've seen India play a role in leading a "non-aligned" group of nations, and the country has focused on the impacts of the Ukraine war on the Global South, which has elevated its diplomatic status a bit.
As for actual force composition, the Indian Navy should absolutely focus on submarine development. I think the push for a 3rd aircraft carrier is premature and would eat up valuable resources. Submarines, frigates, and support vessels would be the best path forward for the Indian Navy.
SolRon25 on September 18th, 2023 at 15:54 UTC »
SS: India is charting an ambitious course to bolster its naval might in the Indian Ocean region, primarily to counter China’s expanding presence in the area. The Indian Navy, which currently commands a fleet of 132 warships, 143 aircraft, and 130 helicopters, has unveiled a comprehensive plan to transform into a 175-warship navy by 2035.