By A Correspondent
Kolkata (West Bengal): The Indian Navy is working towards inducting 45 warships over the next four years to fulfill long-term strategic needs, as it pushes to reach the planned fleet strength of 200 warships by 2035.
Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan said on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) that 45 warships were currently at various stages of construction in Indian shipyards and are targeted for delivery over the next three to four years.
Vice Admiral Vatsayan launched ‘Sanghamitra’, the first of the four next-generation offshore patrol vessels (NGOPVs) under construction at the state-run Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited for the Indian Navy.
Speaking at the event, Vice Admiral Vatsayan said the navy had obtained ‘Acceptance of Necessity’ for another 69 warships, six submarines, and another 120 Fast Interceptor Craft from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
“There is a very big opportunity for the entire defence building ecosystem to deliver quality products in time with the capabilities required by the Indian Navy,” he added.
The announcement came as the MoD is actively pursuing self-reliance in warship production within India for the maritime security forces, so that they have the capability and capacity to secure national interests in the Indo-Pacific Region and help the navy to transition into a dominant blue-water force.
The Indian Navy currently has about 130-odd warships in its fleet, and the objective is to grow to 155 to 160 warships by 2030 initially. Ultimately, the Indian Navy planned to have 200 warships in the fleet by 2035.
Vice Admiral Vatsayan said the Indian Navy had evolved into a force committed not only to combat preparedness but also to maintaining a stable maritime environment through cooperation, presence, and operational readiness.
“In this broader context, the next-generation offshore patrol vessel project holds considerable significance,” he said. The GRSE, according to Vice Admiral Vatsyan, had delivered eight ships to the Navy during the last financial year.
The NGOPVs are significantly larger and more capable than conventional offshore patrol vessels, with enhanced endurance and firepower, navy officers said. The NGOPVs would be tasked with surveillance, countermine warfare, and special operations missions, they added.
The vessel measured 113 metres in length and 14.6 metres in width, with a displacement of 3,000 tonnes. The ship boasts an endurance of 8,500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 14 knots and achieves a maximum speed of 23 knots.
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