Slow indigenous shipbuilding projects are a major "enemy within" that is hurting India's maritime dominance dreams before they can set sail.

While India's focus on "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) has created a robust shipbuilding industry, a long history of delays and cost overruns has resulted in critical gaps in the Indian Navy's fleet and hinders its ability to counter a rapidly expanding rival like China.

The Vicious Cycle of Delays-

India's shipbuilding industry, primarily centered in state-owned defense public sector undertakings (DPSUs), is plagued by a number of systemic issues that create a vicious cycle of delays.

• Long Procurement Process: The Indian defense acquisition process is notoriously slow and bureaucratic, often taking years to finalize a contract. This means that by the time the shipyard receives the order, the design may already be outdated.

• Design Changes: The Indian Navy's frequent changes to design requirements and specifications, often in response to evolving technologies, have contributed significantly to project delays. These changes can stall the construction process and result in massive cost overruns.

• Infrastructure and Technology Gaps: Many shipyards have outdated infrastructure and rely on inefficient, old-school construction methods. While some are upgrading to modular construction, the transition has been slow. Additionally, India still relies on foreign suppliers for critical components like naval engines and advanced sensors, which creates supply chain dependencies and potential delays.

The Consequences: Gaps in the Fleet-

The delays in indigenous shipbuilding have had a direct and detrimental impact on the Indian Navy's fleet strength and its ability to secure India's maritime interests.

• Fleet Strength Shortfall: The Indian Navy has a sanctioned fleet strength of around 175-200 ships, but it currently operates with a significantly smaller number. Delays in key projects mean that ships are retiring faster than they can be replaced, creating a persistent shortfall.

• Aging Fleet: The most critical gap is in the submarine fleet. The Project 75I program to acquire six new submarines has been delayed for years, leaving the navy with an aging fleet of conventional submarines that are nearing the end of their service lives.

• Increased Costs: Delays lead to massive cost overruns, which force the navy to make difficult choices and divert funds from other crucial modernization programs. For example, a 24-month delay in a project can lead to a significant increase in construction costs.

The Indian Navy's indigenous shipbuilding program is a national asset and a key to its long-term strategic independence. However, until the systemic issues of slow procurement, bureaucratic delays, and outdated infrastructure are addressed, India's dream of maritime dominance will remain in jeopardy.