The Ministry of Defense (MoD) of India has recently signed a contract to acquire 17 new warships worth Rs 19,600 crore ($2.6 billion USD) from Indian shipyards. This move is part of the government’s efforts to modernize and strengthen its naval fleet and to increase its naval power projection capabilities in the Indian Ocean region.

“In a huge boost to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defense, Ministry of Defense, on March 30, 2023, signed contracts with Indian shipyards for the acquisition of 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels and six Next Generation Missile Vessels at an overall cost of approx. ₹ 19,600 crores,” the statement said.

“Huge boost to achieve Aatmanirbharta”

The acquisition of these warships is a significant step towards achieving the Indian Navy’s long-term goal of becoming a world-class blue-water navy. The new warships will be built under the ‘Buy and Make (Indian)’ category, which means that the Indian shipyards will collaborate with foreign technology partners to build these warships in India.

The MoD has stated that these warships will be equipped with state-of-the-art weapons systems and sensors, including anti-ship missiles, anti-submarine warfare systems, and air defense systems. The warships will also be equipped with advanced communication and surveillance systems, which will enhance the Navy’s situational awareness and ability to respond to any potential threats.

The acquisition of these warships will also provide a significant boost to the Indian shipbuilding industry, which has been a major focus of the government’s ‘Make in India’ campaign. This initiative aims to encourage domestic manufacturing and reduce India’s dependence on imports. The acquisition of these warships will provide a major boost to the Indian shipbuilding industry and create significant employment opportunities in the country.

The acquisition of these warships is part of the Indian Navy’s long-term modernization plan, which includes the acquisition of new submarines, aircraft carriers, and other warships. The Indian Navy is also investing in the development of new technologies, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its operational capabilities.

The Indian Navy’s expansion plans have been driven by the increasing strategic competition in the Indian Ocean region, which has seen the rise of China as a major naval power. China has been rapidly expanding its naval capabilities in the region, building new aircraft carriers, submarines, and other warships.

In response to China’s naval expansion, India has been strengthening its naval capabilities and building closer ties with other regional powers, such as Japan, Australia, and the United States. India has also been developing strategic infrastructure, such as ports and naval bases, in the Indian Ocean region to enhance its naval power projection capabilities.