The Indian Navy is actively transforming from a fleet of buyers to a fleet of builders, but it's not quite a fully-fledged blue-water navy yet.

It's a force in transition, with impressive indigenous shipbuilding capabilities alongside critical gaps in its fleet and a slow procurement process.

The "Builder's Navy" in Action-

India's most significant achievement has been its push for indigenization. The Indian Navy is at the forefront of the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) initiative, with a majority of its current and future fleet being built in Indian shipyards.

• Aircraft Carriers: The commissioning of INS Vikrant in 2022 was a landmark moment, showcasing India's ability to design and build its own aircraft carriers. This capability places India in a very exclusive club of nations. The navy is also in the planning stages for a second indigenous aircraft carrier, which will be a modernized version of INS Vikrant.

• Destroyers and Frigates: The navy has a robust pipeline of new, indigenously built destroyers and frigates. The Visakhapatnam-class destroyers and Project 17A Nilgiri-class frigates are a testament to India's shipbuilding prowess. These warships are equipped with modern stealth features, advanced weapons, and sensor systems, making them highly capable multi-role platforms.

• Submarines: While the navy's conventional submarine fleet is aging, efforts are being made to modernize it. The Kalvari-class submarines (based on the French Scorpene-class) are being built in India, and the navy is also focused on developing its own Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system to extend the underwater endurance of its diesel-electric submarines. The most significant achievement, however, is the Arihant-class nuclear submarines, which gives India a credible sea-based leg of its nuclear triad.

Key Challenges and Gaps-

Despite this impressive progress, the Indian Navy faces significant challenges that hinder its ability to effectively guard the vast Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and beyond.

• Fleet Strength and Readiness: The navy's sanctioned fleet strength is around 175-200 ships, but it currently operates with a significantly smaller number. This gap is a major concern, especially with the growing presence of the Chinese navy in the Indian Ocean. Many of the current ships, particularly its submarines, are of Russian or German origin and are nearing the end of their service lives.

• Submarine Force: This is the most critical gap. The Indian Navy's conventional submarine fleet is aging, and the procurement process for new submarines has been plagued by delays. The Project 75I program for new submarines has faced repeated setbacks, creating a potential shortage of submarines, which are crucial for anti-submarine warfare and sea denial.

• Financial Constraints: The navy's modernization ambitions are often limited by the defense budget. A significant portion of the budget is spent on salaries and maintenance of the existing fleet, leaving insufficient funds for the rapid acquisition of new platforms and the development of cutting-edge technology. The high cost of a third aircraft carrier has also been a subject of debate, with some arguing that the money would be better spent on acquiring more submarines and long-range maritime patrol aircraft.

• Technological Dependence: While shipbuilding has been successfully indigenized, India still depends on foreign partners for key technologies like naval engines, advanced sensors, and certain weapon systems. This reliance can make the navy vulnerable to sanctions and supply chain disruptions.

In conclusion, the Indian Navy is not just floating along; it is actively and successfully building its own fleet. Its focus on indigenous production has transformed it into a formidable regional power. However, to truly become a dominant force capable of guarding the seas, it must address the critical gaps in its fleet, particularly its aging submarines, and overcome persistent budgetary and bureaucratic hurdles.