The Indian Navy's ability to secure its vast maritime borders and project power in the Indian Ocean region is a complex and evolving issue.

While the navy has made significant strides in modernization and indigenous shipbuilding, its current fleet size and submarine strength present both strengths and vulnerabilities.

Fleet Size and Modernization-

• Growing Fleet, but a Long Way to Go: The Indian Navy is actively pursuing an ambitious modernization plan, with a vision to have a fleet of 175 warships by 2035. As of early 2025, it operates a fleet of over 150 ships and submarines, with dozens more under various stages of construction. This includes the indigenously-built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and other modern destroyers and frigates. This focus on "Make in India" is a key strength, as it reduces reliance on foreign suppliers and fosters a domestic defense industrial base.

• The Aircraft Carrier Debate: The Indian Navy's vision has long been to operate three aircraft carriers to ensure that two are always available for deployment on its western and eastern flanks while one undergoes maintenance. However, financial constraints and a strategic debate have led to a more pragmatic approach. A third carrier is unlikely in the near term, with the focus shifting to the replacement of the aging INS Vikramaditya. This leaves the navy with a more limited ability to project power simultaneously across its vast maritime domain.

Submarine Strength: A Critical Vulnerability-

• Aging Fleet and Submarine Gaps: India's submarine fleet is a major point of concern. The navy operates a mix of nuclear and conventional submarines, but many of its conventional submarines are aging and are in need of replacement. The fleet size, which includes over a dozen conventional submarines and a few nuclear-powered ones, is seen as inadequate to counter the growing threat from China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), which operates a much larger and more modern fleet.

• Delays in Procurement: The "Project 75-I" program, which aims to acquire next-generation diesel-electric submarines with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems, has faced significant delays. This slow procurement process has created a critical gap in India's underwater warfare capabilities, which is a major concern given the increasing presence of Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean.

• Countering China's Undersea Threat: The persistent presence of Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean, often deployed under the guise of anti-piracy missions, poses an "unprecedented challenge" for Indian military planners. China's growing fleet of nuclear-powered attack submarines and its use of ports in neighboring countries as part of its "String of Pearls" strategy have put India on high alert.

Conclusion: A Mixed Bag of Strengths and Weaknesses-

While the Indian Navy has made commendable progress in indigenous shipbuilding and has a clear vision for its future, its ability to truly "secure" its vast maritime borders remains a challenge. The navy's strengths lie in its experienced personnel, a growing fleet of modern warships, and a strategic focus on indigenization.

However, its weaknesses, particularly the aging and inadequate submarine fleet, the slow pace of procurement, and the widening naval gap with China, are significant vulnerabilities. To achieve strategic dominance in the Indian Ocean, India needs to not only increase its fleet size but also urgently address the gaps in its underwater warfare capabilities and streamline its procurement processes to ensure a timely and effective modernization of its naval assets.