India launches submarines, warships to counter China in Indian Ocean

MUMBAI, India — The Indian Navy on Wednesday simultaneously launched a submarine, destroyer and frigate built at a state-owned shipyard, underscoring the importance of protecting the Indian Ocean region through which 95% of the country’s trade passes in a context of strong Chinese presence.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said the importance of the Atlantic Ocean has shifted to the Indian Ocean region, which is emerging as a center of international power rivalry.

“India attaches utmost importance to making its navy strong to protect its interests,” he said.

“The commissioning of three major combat ships marks a significant step forward in realizing India’s vision of becoming a global leader in defense manufacturing and maritime security,” Prime Minister Narendra said Modi during the commissioning of the ships at the state-run Mazagon shipyard in Mumbai.

The situation in the Indian Ocean region is difficult, with China’s navy, India’s main rival, growing exponentially, said defense analyst Rahul Bedi.

Bedi said the INS Vagsheer submarine, the sixth Kalvari (Scorpene) class conventional diesel-electric submarine built under French license, aims to replace aging Indian submarine platforms and fill serious gaps in regarding the capabilities of existing platforms. India now has a total of 16 submarines.

The P75 Scorpene submarine project represents India’s growing expertise in submarine construction in collaboration with the French naval group, Bedi said.

India’s Defense Ministry is expected to seal a deal to build three more Scorpene submarines in India during Modi’s likely visit to Paris next month to attend the President’s Artificial Intelligence Action Summit Frenchman Emmanuel Macron.

However, according to the Indian Navy, the first of these boats is only expected to be commissioned by 2031.

India commissioned its first domestically built aircraft carrier in 2022 to counter regional rival China’s much larger and growing fleet and to expand its domestic shipbuilding capabilities.

INS Vikrant, whose name is a Sanskrit word meaning “mighty” or “brave”, is India’s second operational aircraft carrier. It joins the Soviet-era INS Vikramaditya, which India purchased from Russia in 2004 to defend the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal.

Ashok Sharma reported from New Delhi.