Warships, Submarine Launched in Indian Ocean To Counter China Expansion
January 15, 2025
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India’s navy launched a submarine, a destroyer and a frigate on Wednesday, representing a considerable military commitment by the nuclear-armed U.S. ally, underscoring the nation’s focus on safeguarding the Indian Ocean region.
Why It Matters
India’s simultaneous naval launches highlight its strategic focus on countering challenges in the Indian Ocean, a crucial maritime route through which 95 percent of its trade flows, amid China’s expanding naval presence in these waters.
What to Know
Defense analyst Rahul Bedi noted that the INS Vagsheer, the sixth in the French-designed Scorpène-class conventional diesel-electric submarine series, aims to replace India’s aging underwater platforms while addressing critical capability gaps.
With the addition of INS Vagsheer, India now operates a fleet of 16 submarines, bolstering its defense posture in the region.
INS Nilgiri, left, along with Submarine Vaghsheer, right, and INS Surat in Mumbai on January 15, 2025. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said the Indian navy’s focus has shifted to the Indian Ocean region. INS Nilgiri, left, along with Submarine Vaghsheer, right, and INS Surat in Mumbai on January 15, 2025. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said the Indian navy’s focus has shifted to the Indian Ocean region. Rafiq Maqbool/AP
Does India Build Its Own Ships?
The P75 Scorpène submarine project showcases India’s advancing expertise in submarine construction, developed in partnership with France’s Naval Group, according to Bedi.
India has been ramping up its naval capabilities to counter China’s significantly larger and rapidly growing fleet. In 2022, India commissioned its first indigenously built aircraft carrier, a milestone in expanding its domestic shipbuilding capabilities and strengthening its maritime presence in the Indian Ocean region.
Does India Have a Strong Navy?
The INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, derives its name from a Sanskrit word meaning “powerful” or “courageous.” It is India’s second operational aircraft carrier, joining the INS Vikramaditya, a Soviet-era vessel purchased from Russia in 2004.
Together, these carriers bolster India’s ability to defend the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, critical regions for global trade and strategic security. The INS Vikrant represents a significant milestone in India’s push for self-reliance in defense production and its efforts to counterbalance China’s expanding naval footprint in the region.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the commissioning of INS Surat in Mumbai on January 15, 2025. India’s navy launched a submarine, a destroyer and a frigate simultaneously. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the commissioning of INS Surat in Mumbai on January 15, 2025. India’s navy launched a submarine, a destroyer and a frigate simultaneously. Rafiq Maqbool/AP
What People Are Saying
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while commissioning the vessels at the state-run Mazagon dockyard in Mumbai: “The commissioning of three major naval combatants marks a significant leap forward in realizing India’s vision of becoming a global leader in defense manufacturing and maritime security.”
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the strategic importance of the region: “The Atlantic Ocean’s importance has shifted to the Indian Ocean region, which is becoming a center of international power rivalry. India is giving the biggest importance to making its navy powerful to protect its interests.”
What Happens Next
India’s defense ministry is reportedly close to finalizing a deal for three additional Scorpène-class submarines, to be built domestically. The agreement is expected to coincide with Modi’s likely visit to Paris next month for the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
While India’s defense ministry is poised to finalize a deal for three additional Scorpène-class submarines, the Indian navy estimates the first of these vessels will only be commissioned by 2031.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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