India’s naval advancements will fuel its Indian Ocean ambitions

As India approaches its 75th Republic Day, the nation has achieved a significant milestone in strengthening its naval capabilities. In an exceptional move reflecting strategic foresight, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently commissioned three advanced naval platforms in a single day: a destroyer, a frigate, and a submarine.

However, in a fast-changing security environment in the Indo-Pacific, the developments in naval capabilities must be measured in a relative context— capabilities of arch rivals and a swiftly evolving security domain, that is.

Now, five points need to be underscored in this context.

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Power projection

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The commissioning of advanced naval platforms highlights India’s aspiration to establish itself as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Over the years, India’s maritime security strategy has significantly evolved. The 2015 Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision reflects India’s dedication to fostering regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. This vision is supported by initiatives such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Indian Ocean Island Countries (IOIC), which emphasise coastal connectivity and sustainable development. PM Modi’s address at the 2018 Shangri-La Dialogue further reinforced India’s strategic perspective for the Indo-Pacific.

The SAGAR vision has gained traction through frameworks such as the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), aiming to tackle regional security issues and counter China’s expanding influence. While China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has grown to become the world’s largest by fleet size, it still lacks the operational capabilities and combat experience of the United States.

India’s navy, although the smallest of its armed forces, has consistently demonstrated efficiency and timely acquisitions. Compared to the Indian Air Force, which faces critical squadron shortages, the navy pragmatically acknowledges domestic limitations in engine development. It relies on foreign collaborations to fill gaps, ensuring progress. However, I’ll turn to that later.

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Boosting naval defence exports

To establish itself as a net security provider, the Indian Navy must sustain the momentum it has recently achieved in naval defence exports. Although this initiative began in earnest only in 2011, it gained significant traction after 2016. India has transitioned from being a cautious supplier of naval equipment, primarily targeting countries such as Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines, to a more prominent player in defence exports. For many years, India’s exports to nations such as Seychelles, the Maldives, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka were limited to refurbished ex-navy and coast guard vessels. However, this trend has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years.

Naval ships, as of 2024, account for over 61 per cent of India’s total defence exports. This shift highlights India’s growing capability to manufacture advanced platforms and its determination to emerge as a dependable supplier of defence equipment to neighbouring countries. This development is a critical component of India’s regional and maritime strategy, especially given China’s rapid ascent in modernising PLAN and expanding its influence in the Indian Ocean by providing naval assets to smaller nations.

China has already established itself as the leading defence exporter to both Pakistan and Bangladesh. It delivered two Ming-class submarines to Bangladesh in 2017, gifted a P625 frigate to Sri Lanka in 2019, and committed to exporting Yuan-class submarines to Thailand. Although the Thai deal encountered difficulties when Germany refused to supply key propulsion components, Thailand decided to proceed with the acquisition, underscoring China’s persistence in maintaining its naval export commitments. Additionally, Pakistan is set to acquire at least eight Hangor-class submarines and other naval equipment from Beijing, further enhancing China’s presence in the region.

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Shed past inhibitions

India has increasingly aligned itself with Western naval powers to address maritime challenges through collaborative efforts. France was among its earliest Western partners, and the countries’ cooperation has grown stronger over time. India also participates in joint maritime missions with European nations and European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) initiatives such as Operation Atlanta and Aspides. Furthermore, India contributes to significant maritime security dialogues such as the Coordinated Maritime Presence (CMP) and Enhancing Security Cooperation In And With Asia (ESIWA).

India’s 2023 inclusion in the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), led by the US Central Command, underscores its dedication to enhancing collaborative security in the western Indian Ocean. The IFC-IOR exemplifies India’s commitment to collective security, even though it remains a preliminary step toward a more robust maritime security framework. Advancing to the next level will require India to engage in the technically complex task of real-time information sharing through secure legal frameworks beyond Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT). The Quad’s Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) initiative highlights the challenges in achieving seamless data-sharing capabilities.

To counter hybrid threats and protect critical infrastructure, India must prioritise sharing vital intelligence and deploying unmanned systems for coordinated surveillance. Strengthening such partnerships will bolster India’s naval capabilities and contribute to broader maritime security across the Indian Ocean Region.

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Tech achievements, challenges

The commissioning of new naval platforms marks a significant milestone for India but also highlights persistent challenges, particularly in achieving technological self-reliance in engine manufacturing. Although the INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vagsheer were designed by India’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, their engines were procured from foreign manufacturers, exposing a critical dependence on external sources.

INS Surat, the fourth and final ship of the P15B Guided Missile Destroyer Project, employs a Combined Gas Turbine and Gas Turbine (COGAG) propulsion system. This system uses Me6E and DT-59 reversible engines sourced from Ukraine’s Zorya Mashproekt, a key supplier for India’s frontline warships. Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, India has continued to rely on Zorya, underscoring the critical nature of this dependence. To secure the supply chain, Bharat Forge acquired a 51 per cent stake in Zorya’s India arm in 2023.

Similarly, INS Nilgiri, the first ship of the P17A Stealth Frigate Project, launched in 2019, uses a Combined Diesel and Gas (CODAG) propulsion system. This system incorporates LM2500 engines from General Electric in the US and MAN diesel engines from Germany, further emphasising India’s reliance on imported technology despite its strong indigenous design capabilities.

INS Vagsheer, the sixth and final submarine of the P75 Scorpene project developed in collaboration with France, also depends on imported MTU diesel engines from Germany. However, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) plans to integrate an Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system during its mid-life refit, aiming to modernise India’s aging underwater fleet and bridge existing capability gaps.

This reliance on foreign propulsion systems exposes a significant vulnerability in India’s defence ecosystem. Achieving indigenous engine development remains a long-term aspiration, potentially requiring two to three decades to realise.

Need for unmanned systems

The evolving threat environment underscores the necessity for advancements in underwater drones and other crewless systems. India’s recent acquisitions take the story forward but until complemented by Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), remain at risk. It is important to note that modern naval warfare is increasingly influenced by hybrid strategies, including anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) tactics, electronic warfare, and the deployment of autonomous platforms. Hybrid warfare tactics, such as seabed operations and cyber warfare, have further expanded the threat landscape.

Naval drones are capable of reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strikes. They offer cost-effective solutions and reduce the risks to human life. These platforms, equipped with sensors and explosives, offer a versatile and cost-effective alternative to traditional naval forces.

The rise of Ukrainian Magura V5 in 2023 is a testament to the potential of these technologies in the battle for Black Sea. Sea drones have proven to serve as a first line of defence in hostile maritime environments. For India, investing and embracing these technologies is crucial for enhancing its power projection capabilities as a blue-water navy and remain competitive.

As Modi prepares to visit France in February 2025, the talks will likely focus on finalising deals for additional Scorpene submarines and exploring advancements in underwater drones. France’s offer of advanced UUVs presents a critical opportunity for India to bolster its maritime capabilities and balance high-tech Chinese UUVs such as the HSU-001.  However, this must be accompanied by strategic investments in research and development to achieve long-term self-reliance.

Swasti Rao is Consulting Editor, ThePrint and a foreign policy expert. She tweets @swasrao. Views are personal.

(Edited by Zoya Bhatti)

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