By A Correspondent

New Delhi: India’s naval modernisation has entered a decisive phase, with a new indigenous warship or submarine joining the fleet every 40 days, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi revealed on November 4, 2025.

The rapid pace of induction underscores the Indian Navy’s shift from dependence on foreign suppliers to building sovereign maritime capabilities, a cornerstone of the country’s quest for aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence.

Speaking at the India Defence Conclave 2025 hosted by Bharat Shakti, Admiral Tripathi outlined a bold vision: the Navy aims to operate over 200 warships and submarines by 2035, all built domestically. Currently, the Navy operates about 145 vessels, while 52 ships under construction are being built in Indian shipyards.

“On average, one new indigenous warship or submarine is being added to the Indian Navy every 40 days. As we look to become a 200-plus ship Navy by 2035, all of our 52 ships presently on order are being built in India,” Admiral Tripathi said.

The Navy Chief emphasised that aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) is no longer just a slogan, but a strategic necessity and an “investment toward future assurance.”

Moving beyond platforms, the Navy’s next target is to achieve complete self-reliance at the component level by 2047, aligning with India’s national goal of becoming a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).

Building Strength Beyond Platforms

Admiral Tripathi emphasised that indigenous strength today extends beyond military assets to encompass industrial and technological ecosystems.

“Semiconductors can be as decisive as submarines, and secure data links matter as much as secure sea lanes,” he noted, highlighting how modern warfare relies on technology integration, cybersecurity, and innovation networks.

He identified self-reliance, synergy, and security as the three pillars of a modern maritime power, each reinforcing the other to define India’s growing naval stature. These principles, he added, guide both domestic capability-building and international maritime cooperation.

From ‘Make in India’ to ‘Trust in India’

Pointing to India’s growing credibility as a defence manufacturing hub, Admiral Tripathi said, “India’s defence production has more than tripled over the last decade and crossed Rs 1.5 lakh crore last year.”

He described the shift from “Make in India to Trust in India,” signaling the confidence global partners are placing in Indian defence systems and technology.

Strategic Partnerships with Purpose

Delving into the geopolitical domain, Admiral Tripathi made it clear that India’s maritime collaborations will be driven by principle, not expediency. “Partnerships for us will never be an alignment of convenience, but a convergence of purpose and principle,” he said.

The Navy, he added, seeks to translate “indigenous strength and purposeful partnerships into nurturing a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.”

MAHASAGAR Vision in Action

Admiral Tripathi also spotlighted the MAHASAGAR vision (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year. The framework guides India’s maritime engagement with the Global South, emphasising trust, transparency, and shared security.

“At sea, the Indian Navy has operationalised this approach through coordinated patrols, surveillance missions, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief operations, all aimed at building regional trust and interoperability,” he said.

As India continues to strengthen its naval footprint, the steady addition of indigenous warships and submarines every 40 days signals not only the momentum of industrial growth but also the development of a maritime force poised to safeguard national interests with homegrown confidence.

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