The Indian Navy is set to initiate three significant indigenous warship programmes with a total projected investment of nearly ₹1 lakh crore, representing a major push towards enhancing naval modernisation and bolstering domestic shipbuilding capabilities.
Current sources indicate that these initiatives are in the early stages of internal consultations and planning. Following this preparatory phase, they will proceed to the formal defence acquisition process. Approval of these projects promises to considerably enhance the Navy’s surface fleet and strengthen India’s maritime presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as well as the broader Indo-Pacific area.
The largest of the proposed undertakings is Project 15C, which aims to construct four next-generation guided-missile destroyers at an estimated cost of ₹50,000 crore. These destroyers are anticipated to feature cutting-edge sensors, advanced weaponry, electronic warfare systems, and superior air defence capabilities. This development builds upon existing technologies utilized in the Kolkata-class (Project 15A) and Visakhapatnam-class (Project 15B) destroyers.
Following this, Project 17B seeks to develop six advanced stealth frigates with a budget of around ₹40,000 crore. This project is expected to be a joint effort between Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), with each entity tasked with constructing three frigates.
The most ambitious plan, however, is Project 18A, which envisions the development of six next-generation large surface combatants, each displacing between 14,000 and 15,000 tonnes. These vessels are predicted to possess enhanced strike capabilities, sophisticated air and missile defence systems, advanced command and control structures, and improved endurance for extensive deployments.
These proposed initiatives align with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which seeks to promote self-reliance in various sectors, including defence. By investing heavily in these indigenous shipbuilding projects, India aims to fortify its naval capabilities while ensuring that the Indian Navy maintains a qualitative advantage amid the evolving landscape of maritime security challenges.
