By N. C. Bipindra

New Delhi: In a significant boost to India’s maritime capabilities, the Indian Navy is set to receive delivery of 36 new warships and naval vessels by the end of 2027, marking a crucial step in its modernisation drive under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative.

According to Indian Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, 19 ships will be inducted in 2026 and another 13 in 2027, enhancing India’s operational readiness across the Indo-Pacific region.

As of October 2025, the Indian Navy has already inducted 10 new vessels this year, with four more slated for delivery by December 2025, Vice Admiral Vatsayan said at a media briefing to provide details of the upcoming International Fleet Review 2026, MILAN 2026 maritime exercise, and Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Chief Conclave to be held in Feb. 2026.

These include a mix of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Shallow Water Crafts, Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), and Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) constructed by Indian shipyards such as Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), according to Ministry of Defence officials.

Among the vessels inducted so far are the ASW Shallow Water Craft ‘Mahe’, the first of its class from CSL, and multiple FPVs designed for coastal security, maritime patrol, and anti-smuggling missions, the officials said.

The upcoming deliveries by year-end include more ASW Shallow Water Crafts and interceptor boats to bolster India’s coastal defences and island territories, they said.

The year 2026 is expected to witness the largest single-year addition to the Indian Navy’s fleet, with 19 vessels scheduled for delivery. These include a range of advanced frigates, corvettes, submarines, and auxiliary ships.

The 2026 inductions are expected to significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s surface and sub-surface warfare capabilities, aligning with India’s doctrine of ensuring maritime dominance and sea lane security.

In 2027, 13 more vessels will be inducted, completing the delivery of the planned 32 ships by December that year.

These are likely to include the last of the Project 17A frigates, new Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV), and coastal patrol ships. This will mark a new high in India’s shipbuilding efficiency and indigenous defence production under the Strategic Partnership Model.

Indian Navy’s Strength: 2025 vs 2027

As of late 2025, the Indian Navy operates around 135 warships, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, corvettes, and submarines.

With the planned deliveries, this number is expected to rise to nearly 167 vessels by Dec. 2027, significantly enhancing India’s maritime deterrence posture.

This expansion aligns with the Indian Navy’s long-term plan to maintain a fleet strength of 175 combat and support vessels by 2035, supported by an indigenous shipbuilding ecosystem spanning both public and private shipyards.

The steady induction of new platforms demonstrates India’s focus on self-reliance in defence production, with over 60 ships currently under construction in Indian shipyards.

The enhanced fleet will enable the Indian Navy to play a more assertive role in securing sea lanes, supporting regional partners, and countering growing maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

With 32 new vessels joining the fleet by 2027, the Indian Navy is well on track to emerge as a formidable blue-water force, capable of sustained operations across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

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