The Indian Navy has been focusing on developing indigenous platforms, systems, sensors and weapons as part of the nation's modernisation and expansion of its maritime forces. As of January 2025, the Indian Navy had 64 vessels of various types under construction including destroyers, frigates, corvettes, conventional-powered and nuclear-poweredsubmarines and various other ships.[1] It plans to build up to a total of 200 vessels and 500 aircraft by 2050. According to the Chief of the Naval Staff's statement in December 2020,[2]India has transformed from a buyer's navy to a builder's navy.[3]
As of September 2024, the Indian Navy has 66 ships on order of which 50 are under construction in various stages (early fabrication to sea trials) and 12 ships are to be delivered and commissioned over the 12 months in 2025. These ships sum up a tonnage of over 200,000 tons and a value of ₹1.1 lakhcrore (US$13 billion). The ships are being constructed across 6 shipyards in India while 1 ship is under construction in Russia. The Russian-origin ship is the last warship to be imported for the Navy.[4][5] The Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 31 additional warships have also been granted by the Government. The Navy plans to have between 155-160 warships by 2030 and between 175-200 warship navy by 2035.[6][7]
As for indigenisation the Indian Navy is following the "Roll-on Plan for 2023-26" while the progress is being monitored by Centre for Indigenisation & Self Reliance (CISR) at Coimbatore. The CISR has two Indigenisation Units (IUs) with one at Visakhapatnam, whose area of responsibility includes the Eastern Naval Command & Andaman and Nicobar Command and the other at Mumbai to supervise Western Naval Command. Three aspects are recognised for evaluating the indigenous content of a ship which includes Float (Hull and its related fittings and components), Move (Engines, Complete propulsions systems, etc.) and Fight (Sensor suites and Weapon systems) categories. As of October 2024, 90%, 60% and 50% of the respective categories have been indigenised. The Navy also plans to increase the indigenous content on already-commissioned frontline warships like INS Vikramaditya, Kalvari-class submarine, Talwar-class frigate and Deepak-class fleet tanker.[13]
Submarines
This indicates that a Request For Information (RFI) has currently been issued for this project. The issue of an RFI is not a commitment for procurement.
6000 tonnes for S2 & S3[14] 7,000 tonnes[15] for S4 & S4*[16]
Second flight of 3 Arihant-class submarines with eight VLS of SLBMs as against four VLS on the earlier 2 submarines.[17] Due to development delays of S5-class, another submarine is planned under Arihant Class.[18]
The Government of India had approved the construction of six such submarines in February 2015. These submarines will be designed by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau and indigenously built in the Shipbuilding Centre at Visakhapatnam. The Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the construction of Batch 1 for 2 submarines.[22]
Defence Acquisition Council cleared the purchase of six submarines worth ₹53,000 crore (equivalent to ₹850 billion or US$9.8 billion in 2023) in October 2014.[25] In April 2019, an Expression of Interest was issued for twelve stealth submarines capable of remaining underwater for much longer period and firing submarine-launchedland-attack and anti-shipcruise missiles.[26] Field Evaluation Trials (FET) of competing submarine designs have been completed by Indian Navy in June 2024.[27][28][29]
These are first class of conventional diesel-electric submarine to be fully designed and developed within India featuring AIPs. The design phase is expected to be completed by end-2024 and tenders are expected to be issued by defence ministry soon.[30][31][32]
Indian Navy will acquire 2 midget submarines for use as Swimmer Delivery Vehicles. These submarines will be used for conducting underwater special operations by MARCOS.[33] The project is worth ₹2,000 crore (equivalent to ₹32 billion or US$370 million in 2023).[34]
Ministry of Defence cleared ₹2,500 crore (US$290 million) project for development and procurement of XLUUVs under Make-1 category in September 2024. Shall be equipped with anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The vessels will be deployed for mine laying and mine clearing operations and surveillance roles.[35]
Ships
This indicates that the project a Request For Information (RFI) has currently been issued for this project. The issue of RFI is not a commitment for procurement.
Indian Navy had been pushing for a 65,000 tonne carrier, but the demand has been put on hold due to expenses and technologies needed on board. So now Navy is considering another 45,000-tonne class carrier, same as INS Vikrant with more indigenous systems and better propulsions.
Indian Navy has released RFI for 4 LPDs to be made by Indian shipyards. Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) is expected. Ships will have 4×AK-630 with Electro OpticalFire control system, 8x Medium Machine Gun, 6×Heavy Machine Gun, Advanced towed decoy system, 16×SSM, 32×VL-SRSAM, 2×Heavy Lift Helicopters, 12×Special Ops Helicopters and 2×NSUAS etc.[44]
In September 2017, Indian Navy issues a RFI to acquire six landing craft capable of supporting assault missions and transporting equipment, vehicles & troops.[45][46]
A deal for a class of around 7 Project 17B class frigates, as a follow-on of Nilgiri-class frigates, is expected to be cleared by MoD . The order is worth ₹70,000 crore (US$8.1 billion).[58][59][60]
The contract for acquisition of six Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV) was signed with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) at a cost of Rs 9,805 crore. The delivery of ships is scheduled to commence from March 2027 .[66]
In 2016, the Ministry of Defence issued Request For Information (RFI) for seven next-generation Corvette under the "Buy Indian and Make Indian" category. Acceptance of necessity given by ministry of defence[67]
Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Larsen & Toubro for acquisition of Two Multi-Purpose Vessels (MPVs) for Indian Navy at cost of ₹887 crore (equivalent to ₹940 crore or US$110 million in 2023) on 25 March 2022. These vessels will be used for multi-role support functions such as maritime surveillance & patrol, launching/ recovery of torpedoes and operation of various types of aerial, surface and underwater targets for Gunnery/ ASW firing exercises.[72][73]
The contract for acquisition of 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category was signed with Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) at a total cost of Rs 9,781 crore. The delivery of the ships is scheduled to commence from September 2026.[66][77]
In December 2017, Hindustan Shipyard won a bid to build two ships for ₹2,019 crore (US$230 million). Contract for the same was signed in September 2018. Keel laid for the first vessel in December 2019. Both the ships (Nistar & Nipun) have been launched on 22 September 2022.[93][94][95]
Union Cabinet has accorded approval to sign a contract with Larsen & Toubro for acquisition of three Cadet Training Ships, at an overall cost of Rs 3,108.09 crore. The delivery of ships is scheduled to commence from 2026.[96] Keel of first ship laid on 9 February 2024.[97] Steel cutting ceremony of third ship on 20 April 2024.[98]
One National Hospital Ship is proposed to be acquired. The anticipated delivery timelines for the first vessel is maximum of 48 months from the date of contract.[99]
Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the procurement on 3 December 2024. Among their many functions is the escort of high-value units, such as aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, and submarines for coastal defense.[68][69][70]
The contract for building 11 × Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge was signed between MoD and M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane on 05 Mar 2021.[108][109] The contract for building 08 x Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA) Barge was signed between MoD and M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd, Visakhapatnam on 19 Feb 2021.[110] All barges are numbered with LSAM. The only difference is naming for the contract for M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, and M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd. Both ACTCM / MCA have same dimensions.
The acquisition is a part of the Multi-Role Carrier Borne Fighters programme to acquire 57 fighter jets. The Dassault Rafale-M was chosen over the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Number was revised from 57 to 36 in mid-2020[111] and later to 26 by 2021-end. The deal shall be signed through the G2G process.[112] The Rafale-M was selected for procurement in 2023.[113] The Indian Navy aims to finalise the procurement of the Rafale-M by 2024-end.[114]
Proposal to buy 10 NSUAS for around ₹ 1,300 crores cleared by the government in 2021.[116]RFI to purchase total of 40 units released in 2023.[117][118]
Multi Utility Long Endurance Drone (MULE)
Under development
Contract signed with Altair Infrasec for MULE RPA which will be a NSUAS class UAV.[119][120]
These aircraft will be equipped with advanced sensors, glass cockpit, advanced surveillance radar, ELINT, optical sensors and networking features.[123]
The C-295 was eventually chosen. They will be equipped with advanced sensors, glass cockpit, advanced surveillance radar, ELINT, optical sensors and networking features.[125]Ministry of Defence has given clearance for procurement on 16 February 2024.[126][127]
Indian Navy intends to acquire 12 US-2 amphibian aircraft for conducting long-range search-and-rescue operations at cost of $1.65 billion. Two US-2 will be directly imported and remaining 10 will be assembled locally in India.[130] In April 2018, Mahindra Defence signed an MoU with ShinMaywa Industries Ltd. to manufacture and assemble the aircraft, and set up MRO facility in India.[131][132]
The helicopters will replace the ageing Sea King helicopters. They are equipped with Mark 54 torpedoes and Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, along with precision-kill rockets. India signed a ₹15,157 crore (equivalent to ₹180 billion or US$2.1 billion in 2023) contract for the MH-60Rs in February 2020.[134]