{"id":44358,"date":"2024-08-15T07:00:36","date_gmt":"2024-08-15T06:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naval-encyclopedia.com\/?page_id=44358"},"modified":"2024-08-15T07:00:36","modified_gmt":"2024-08-15T06:00:36","slug":"modern-indian-navy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dbodesign.com\/modern\/indian-navy.php","title":{"rendered":"Modern Indian Navy"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n

Indian Navy today<\/h2>\n

\"India\" Circa 165 ships, 40 in contruction 1990-today<\/strong>\n<\/div>\n

The Indian Navy Today<\/h2>\n
Work Just started, expect completion in the summer 2026.<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

The current Indian Navy fleet in 2025 is a mix of new stealth platforms and modern submarines, reflecting the Navy\u2019s growing blue-water capabilities.<\/p>\n

New Inductions Strengthen Combat Capability<\/h4>\n

INS Nilgiri (Project 17A stealth frigate), INS Surat (Visakhapatnam-class destroyer), and INS Vagsheer (the 6th and final Kalvari\/Scorpene-class submarine) were commissioned early 2025\u2014marking a major leap in surface and subsurface strength.
\nINS Tushil (Russian-built stealth frigate) joined in late 2024; its sister ship INS Tamal is due on 1 July 2025.
\nINS Arnala, a homegrown Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, was commissioned in June 2025, showcasing India\u2019s growing indigenization in naval design and production.<\/p>\n

Fleet Modernization & Growth<\/h4>\n

The Navy currently fields over 130 ships, targeting to reach 155\u2013160 vessels by 2030 and 175\u2013200 by 2035.
\nA robust pipeline of 17 warships and 9 submarines, valued at \u20b92.4 lakh crore, is in various approval stages to further boost naval assets.
\nThe acquisition of eleven Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) is underway, although first deliveries start from 2026.<\/p>\n

Undersea Fleet & AIP Challenges<\/h3>\n

The Kalvari-class submarine fleet stands at six units, with plans for more under Project-75. However, integration of Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) has been delayed due to developmental setbacks\u2014hindering operational endurance improvements. A new \u20ac5 billion deal (with Germany\u2019s ThyssenKrupp and Mazagon Dock) for six AIP-capable submarines is under negotiation.<\/p>\n

Indigenous Drive & Strategic Outreach<\/h4>\n

\"\"
\nNaval production is increasingly domestic, evidenced by ships like Nilgiri, Arnala, Himgiri, and others under construction. Indian Navy\u2019s operational reach continues to expand; for instance, INS Delhi, Shakti, and Kiltan took part in joint maritime exercises near the South China Sea. The Western Fleet\u2019s strength has risen by 72% over the past 26 years, reflecting a sustained modernization drive.
\nNotable Developments in 2025:
\nSurface Ships: INS Nilgiri, INS Surat, INS Tushil, INS Tamal
\nSubmarines: INS Vagsheer (final Scorpene), AIP deal in progress
\nCoastal Operations: Indigenous ASW craft INS Arnala
\nIndigenization: Strong domestic shipbuilding and weapons systems
\nStrategic Reach\tEnhanced regional deployments, Western Fleet growth
\nFuture Targets: Fleet expansion towards 200 ships by 2035
\nOverall, the Indian Navy in 2025 is transitioning from Cold War legacy assets to a modern, indigenous, blue-water force, with growing surface fleets, emerging subsurface capabilities, expanding coastal defense vessels, and strengthened regional engagement.<\/p>\n

Inheritance of the cold war fleet 1990<\/h2>\n

\"\"
\nIn 1990, the Indian Navy was very much a product of Cold War\u2013era geopolitics and procurement patterns, and its fleet composition reflected the legacy of both Soviet and Western influence from earlier decades. Here\u2019s a detailed breakdown of what \u201cinheritance of the Cold War fleet\u201d meant for the Indian Navy around that time:
\nStrategic Context: Cold War Alignments. While India was officially non-aligned, its relationship with the USSR from the late 1960s onward led to a navy heavily equipped with Soviet hardware by 1990. Regional Role \u2013 The Navy\u2019s mission in 1990 was centered on coastal defense, sea control in the Indian Ocean, and deterrence against Pakistan, with a secondary capability to counterbalance growing Chinese naval presence. End of Cold War Transition \u2013 By 1990, the collapse of the Soviet Union was imminent, which meant uncertainty about spare parts and future procurement for the Soviet-origin fleet.<\/p>\n

Main Components of the Fleet in 1990:<\/h3>\n

\"\"
\nAircraft Carriers:<\/h4>\n

INS Vikrant (R11)<\/strong>: British-built (Majestic-class), commissioned in 1961, still in service in 1990 but largely operating as a helicopter and ASW platform due to limits on fixed-wing operations.
\nINS Viraat (R22):<\/strong> Former HMS Hermes, a Centaur-class carrier acquired from the UK in 1987, serving as the main fixed-wing carrier with Sea Harrier fighters.<\/p>\n

Surface Combatants<\/h4>\n

Kashin-class Destroyers:<\/strong> Soviet-built (Rajput-class in Indian service). Modern missile destroyers with SS-N-2D Styx anti-ship missiles.
\nR-class Destroyers:<\/strong> Older British-built ships from WWII era, mostly used in secondary roles by 1990.
\nLeander-class Frigates:<\/strong> Built in India and the UK, forming the backbone of the fleet in the 1970s\u201380s.
\nGodavari-class Frigates:<\/strong> Indian-designed derivative of the Leanders, incorporating Soviet and Western systems.
\nPetya-class Frigates:<\/strong> Soviet-built anti-submarine corvettes.<\/p>\n

Submarine Arm<\/h4>\n

Foxtrot-class:<\/strong> Soviet conventional diesel-electric submarines, commissioned from 1967 onwards.
\nKilo-class (Sindhughosh-class):<\/strong> Modern Soviet submarines, first inducted in 1986, greatly enhancing underwater capability.<\/p>\n

Amphibious & Support Fleet<\/h4>\n

Magar-class LSTs:<\/strong> Indian-built landing ships for amphibious operations.
\nVarious tankers and supply ships to support blue-water operations.<\/p>\n

Key Capabilities<\/h3>\n

-Anti-Ship Warfare \u2013 Heavy reliance on Soviet Styx missile systems.
\n-ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) \u2013 Carriers, helicopters (Sea King, Ka-25), and corvettes.
\n-Fleet Air Arm \u2013 Sea Harriers for air defense, fixed-wing strike, and reconnaissance.
\n-Subsurface Threat \u2013 Improved with Kilo-class acquisition.<\/p>\n

Challenges in 1990<\/h3>\n

Aging Platforms \u2013 Many ships and aircraft dated back to the 1960s and 70s.
\nDependence on Soviet Logistics \u2013 Risk of spare parts shortage as the USSR approached collapse.
\nLimited Area Air Defense \u2013 Reliance on short- to medium-range systems, with no Aegis-style long-range fleet defense.
\nBudget Constraints \u2013 India faced economic challenges, limiting modernization pace.<\/p>\n

Legacy<\/h3>\n

The 1990 fleet was essentially a Cold War hybrid navy:
\nBuilt on British carrier doctrine from the 1960s. Transitioned into a Soviet missile-heavy surface fleet in the 1970s\u201380s. By the early 1990s, poised for a shift toward indigenous shipbuilding and more balanced blue-water capabilities.<\/p>\n

The 2000s expansion Program<\/h2>\n

(To come)<\/p>\n

New Challenges<\/h2>\n

(To come)<\/p>\n

Current Organization<\/h2>\n

(To come)<\/p>\n

Indian Marines<\/h3>\n

(To come)<\/p>\n

Indian Naval Air Force<\/h3>\n

(To come)<\/p>\n

Weapons Systems<\/h2>\n

Submarine-launched ballistic missiles:<\/h3>\n

Sagarika SLBM
\nK4 SLBM (deployed on Arihant-class submarine for trials)
\nK-5 SLBM (Under development)
\nK-6 SLBM (Under development)<\/p>\n

Ship launched ballistic missiles:<\/h3>\n

(Dhanush) (To come)<\/p>\n

Cruise\/anti-ship missiles<\/h3>\n

BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is becoming the primary anti-ship missile of the Indian Navy.
\nBrahMos Hypersonic Cruise Missile (Under development)
\nBrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile
\n3M-54E\/3M-14E Klub Anti-Ship\/Land Attack Cruise Missile (SS-N-27 Sizzler)
\nKh-35 (SS-N-25 SwitchBlade)
\nP-20 (SS-N-2D Styx)
\nSea Eagle missile
\nHarpoon (missile)
\nExocet missile (Used by Kalvari class)
\nNASM-SR(Under development)<\/p>\n

Air to air missiles<\/h3>\n

Derby missile
\nR-73 missile
\nR-77 missile
\nAstra<\/p>\n

Surface to air missiles<\/h3>\n

VL-SRSAM
\nBarak 1 – Being replaced by VL-SRSAM missile.
\nBarak 8
\nSA-N-12 (SA-17 Grizzly)
\nSA-N-11 (SA-19 Grison)
\nSA-N-7 (SA-11 Gadfly)
\nSA-N-5
\nSA-N-4 (OSA-M)
\nSA-N-1 (S-125M)
\nSA-16 (Igla MANPAD)
\nVL-SRSAM<\/p>\n

Torpedoes:<\/h3>\n

Varunastra advanced heavyweight torpedo of the Indian Navy.
\nWhitehead A244-S anti-submarine torpedo
\nAPR-3E torpedo
\nCET-65E torpedo
\nType 53-65KE torpedo (passive wake homing)
\nTEST 71\/76 anti-submarine, active and passive homing torpedo
\nAEG-SUT Mod-1 wire-guided, active\/passive homing torpedo
\nDM2A4 Seahake torpedo
\nAdvanced Light Torpedo Shyena
\nVarunastra
\nTakshak (under development)<\/p>\n

Main guns:<\/h3>\n

A-190(E) 100mm
\n100mm AK-100 naval gun
\nAK-176-M 76mm gun
\nAK-76\/62 76mm gun
\nTwin mount gun (76mm)
\nOTO Melara Otobreda 76 mm gun
\nMk.6 Vickers 114mm gun
\nBofors 40mm\/57mm\/60mm guns
\nOerlikon 20 mm cannon (for patrol boats)
\nCRN-91 30 mm cannon (for patrol boats)<\/p>\n

Air defence guns:<\/h3>\n

AK-630 six-barreled 30 mm Gatling gun
\nAK-230 twin 30 mm gun
\nCADS-N-1 Kashtan<\/p>\n

ASW rocket launchers:<\/h3>\n

RBU-6000
\nRBU-6000 (RPK-8)
\nRBU-12000 (UDAV-1)
\nRBU-1000
\nGSh-30-1\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Nomenclature of the modern Indian Navy<\/h2>\n

Capital Ships<\/h4>\n
\n

\"India\" INS Vikramaditya (2008)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"
\nINS Vikramaditya is the Indian Navy\u2019s current flagship aircraft carrier and one of its most visible symbols of blue-water capability. She is a modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier, the Ukrainian-built (Nikolaiev) Baku, then Admiral Gorshkov, commissioned 1987 in the Soviet Navy. Purchased from Russia in 2004, extensively refitted at Sevmash shipyard, and commissioned into the Indian Navy on 16 November 2013. Homeport: Karwar Naval Base (INS Kadamba)
\nDisplacement: ~45,000 tonnes full load, 284 meters long, 30 knots with Steam turbines, 8 boilers, 16 diesels.
\nCrew: 1,600 (ship + air wing)
\nMiG-29K\/KUB multirole fighters (primary fixed-wing strike and air defense), Kamov Ka-31 airborne early warning helicopters, Kamov Ka-28 or Sea King Mk 42B ASW helicopters, ALH Dhruv naval variant for utility and SAR roles
\nWeapons & Sensors: AK-630 Gatling CIWS, 4x VLS Barak-1 and 8 SAMs VLS.
\nShe Serves as centerpiece of Carrier Battle Group-1 (CBG-1), escorting destroyers, frigates, and replenishment ships. She has taken part in Malabar exercises (with US & Japan), and deployments in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Western Pacific. She undergoes periodic refits at Cochin Shipyard for hull, machinery, and aviation systems upkeep. The challenges include high operational costs and dependence on Russia for certain spare parts.<\/p>\n

\n

\"India\" INS Vikrant (2013)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n


\nINS Vikrant (IAC-1) is the replacement for R11, the original Majestic-class aircraft carrier Hermes, commissioned on 4 March 1961, decommissioned on 31 January 1997, preserved as a museum ship in Mumbai until 2012, scrapped in 2014. The new Vikrant is the first Indian-designed and built aircraft carrier, quite an achievement. She was launched on 12 August 2013 (Cochin Shipyard, Kochi) and commissioned on 2 September 2022, displacing c43,000 tonnes so less than the Vikramaditya, for a length of 262 m.
\nShe is powered by four General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, 30+ knots max speed.
\nThe Air Wing comprised MiG-29K fighters, Kamov Ka-31 AEW helicopters, MH-60R Seahawks, ALH Dhruv
\nShe is filling the eastern fleet part of the two-carrier fleet plan.
\nKey Difference from Vikramaditya. Not Soviet-built & refurbished, not a STOBAR-modified Kiev-class but a clean-slate STOBAR design tailored for Indian needs.<\/p>\n

\n

\"India\" Planned future CV (2035)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

(In reserach)<\/p>\n

\n

Submarines<\/h4>\n
\n

\"India\" Ahirant class SSBNs (2016)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"India\" Kalvari class SSNs (2014)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Sindhughosh class SSKs (1986)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Shishumar class SSKs (1986)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Destroyers<\/h4>\n
\n

\"India\" Visakhapatnam class<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Kolkata class<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Delhi class<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"India\" Rajput class<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Frigates<\/h4>\n
\n

\"India\" Shivalik class<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Talwar class<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Brahmaputra class<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Corvettes<\/h4>\n
\n

\"India\" Kamorta class<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Kora class<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Khukri class<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Veer class<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Abhay class ()<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

OPVs\/PVs<\/h4>\n
\n

\"India\" Saryu class<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Sukanya class<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Car Nicobar class<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Bangaram class<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Trinkar class<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Immediate Support Vessel<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Super Dvora class<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Solas Marine crafts<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Amphibious\/Assault Forces<\/h4>\n
\n

\"India\" INS Jalashwa (L41)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Magar class ()<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Shardul class ()<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Kumbhir class ()<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Mk. IV LCU<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"India\" Planned Assault Ship<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Auxiliaries<\/h4>\n
\n

\"India\" Indian Oilers<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

Deepak class Replenishment oiler INS Deepak (A50) Italy 27,500 tonnes : INS Shakti (A57)
\nAditya class INS Aditya Replenishment oiler & Repair ship INS Aditya (A59) India 24,612 tonnes
\nJyoti class INS Jyoti Replenishment oiler INS Jyoti (A58) Russia 35,900 tonnes
\nAmbika class High sulphur diesel oiler INS Ambika India 1,000 tonnes<\/p>\n

\n

\"India\" Indian Research ships<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

Research, survey and tracking vessels: Active (10). Anvesh class Missile range instrumentation vessel\/ Floating Test Range INS Anvesh (A41) India 11,300 tonnes Serves as a sea-based platform for Indian Ballistic.
\nMissile Defence Programme vessels:
\nDhruv class Missile range instrumentation vessel INS Dhruv (A40) India \t15,000 tonnes
\nSagardhwani class Research vessel INS Sagardhwani (A74) India 2,050 tonnes
\nSandhayak class Survey vessel INS Nirupak (J20) India 1,800 tonnes Nirdeshak and Sandhayak decommissioned in 2014 and 2021 respectively.
\nClass: INS Investigator (J15), INS Jamuna (J16), INS Sutlej (J17), INS Darshak (J21), INS Sarvekshak (J22)
\nMakar class: INS Makar Survey vessel INS Makar (J31) India 500 tonnes<\/p>\n

\n

\"India\" Support ships<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

Active (7):
\nNicobar class Troopship INS Andamans Poland 19,000 tonnes: INS Nicobar
\nNireekshak class Diving support vessel INS Nireekshak (A15) India 2,160 tonnes
\nAstradharani class Torpedo recovery vessel INS Astradharani (A61) India 650 tonnes
\nDredger 1 class Dredging vessel Dredger 1 India Ship built by Tebma Shipyard Limited and inducted on 25 March 2015.
\nDSAR class Deep-submergence rescue vehicle. Class: DSAR 1, 2. United Kingdom 25 tonnes<\/p>\n

\n

\"India\" Training vessels<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

Active (6):
\nTir class Training vessel INS Tir (A86) India 3,200 tonnes
\nTarangini class INS Tarangini Training vessel (sail) INS Tarangini (A75) India 500 tonnes: INS Sudarshini (A77)
\nVaruna class: Training vessel (sail): INS Varuna India 110 tonnes
\nMhadei class Training boat (sail): INSV Mhadei (A76) India 23 tonnes. Has been used for solo, unassisted, non-stop circumnavigation under sail two times.
\nINSV Tarini.<\/p>\n

\n

\"India\" Indian Fleet Tugboats<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

Active (24)
\nGaj class Ocean-going tugboat INS Gaj India 560 tonnes
\nIRS class Ocean-going tugboat INS Himmat India 472 tonnes 50 tonne bollard pull tugs. Class: INS Dhiraj, Sahas, Veeran
\nMadan Singh class Tugboats: INS Madan Singh, Shambhu Singh. India 382 tonnes
\nBhim class Tugboat: INS Bhim, Balshil, Ajral. India 373 tonnes
\nNakul class Tugboat: INS Nakul, Arjun. India 373 tonnes
\nB.C. Dutt class Tugboat INS B. C. Dutt, Tarafdar India 355 tonnes
\nArga class Tugboat INS Arga, Bali, Anup India 239 tonnes
\nBalram class Tugboat: INS Balram, Bajrang. India 216 tonnes
\nBahadur class Tugboat: INS Bahadur. India 100 tonnes
\nAnand class Tugboat: INS Anand. India 100 tonnes
\nBuland class Tugboat: INS Balwan, Sahayak, Buland. India 25 tonne bollard pull tugs
\nSarthi class Tugboat: INS Sarthi India 25 tonne bollard pull tugs<\/p>\n

\n

\"India\" Miscellaneous<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

Manoram class Small ferryboat: INS Manoram, Vihar, Ankola India 578 tonnes
\nShalimar class Small ferryboat: INS Neelam, Mohini. India 218 tonnes
\nGSL class Small ferryboat: INS Manohar, Modak, Mangal, Madhur, Manorama, Manjula. India 175 tonnes
\nHooghly class Fuel carrier (barge): India 1,700 tonnes
\nModest class Fuel carrier (barge): INS Purak, Puran. India 731 tonnes
\nPoshak class Fuel carrier (barge): INS Poshak India 671 tonnes
\nVipul class Water carrier (barge): INS Pamba, Pulakesin-1, Ambuda India 598 tonnes
\nCorporated class Sullage (barge) INS SB-II, V, VII India 220 tonnes
\n-Floating Dock Navy 1 (FDN-1) (Japan) Lifting capacity of 11,500 tonnes.
\n-Floating Dock Navy 2 (FDN-2) Floating dock (India) Lifting capacity 8,000 tonnes.<\/p>\n

Src\/read More<\/h3>\n

indiannavy.nic.in\/<\/a>
\njoinindiannavy.gov.in\/<\/a>
\nFuture_of_the_Indian_Navy<\/a>
\nList_of_active_Indian_Navy_ships<\/a>
\nWeapon_systems_of_the_Indian_Navy<\/a>
\nList_of_active_Indian_Navy_ships<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Indian Navy today Circa 165 ships, 40 in contruction 1990-today The Indian Navy Today Work Just started, expect completion in the summer 2026. The current Indian Navy fleet in 2025 is a mix of new stealth platforms and modern submarines, reflecting the Navy\u2019s growing blue-water capabilities. New Inductions Strengthen Combat Capability INS Nilgiri (Project 17A … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":67620,"parent":10751,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-44358","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbodesign.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/44358","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbodesign.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbodesign.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbodesign.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbodesign.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44358"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dbodesign.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/44358\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbodesign.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10751"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbodesign.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44358"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}