New Delhi: The Indian Navy is inducting one new indigenous warship or submarine every 40 days, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said on Tuesday, highlighting the force’s strong push toward self-reliance and capability-building in the maritime domain to counter evolving security challenges.
Speaking at the India Defence Conclave hosted by Bharat Shakti, Admiral Tripathi said the Navy has embraced aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) not just as a strategic necessity but as an investment in the nation’s future. The Navy aims to operate over 200 warships and submarines by 2035, he added.
“On average, one new indigenous warship or submarine is being added to the Indian Navy every 40 days. All 52 ships currently on order are being built in Indian shipyards,” he said. “Beyond platforms, our goal is to achieve aatmanirbharta down to the component level and build a fully self-reliant force by 2047.”
The Navy presently operates around 145 ships and submarines. Admiral Tripathi underscored that indigenous capability is not limited to the battlefield but extends into industrial ecosystems, innovation networks, and information systems. “Today, semiconductors can be as decisive as submarines, and secure data links matter as much as secure sea lanes,” he observed.
He identified self-reliance, synergy, and security as the three foundational pillars of maritime power, each reinforcing the other in shaping a modern naval force.
Addressing India’s global partnerships, Admiral Tripathi said the Navy’s collaborations are driven by “convergence of purpose and principle,” not “alignment of convenience.” He emphasized that India’s vision of becoming a Viksit Bharat (developed nation) by 2047 hinges on purposeful partnerships that promote a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based regional order.
Admiral Tripathi also noted that India’s journey towards aatmanirbharta has evolved from “Make in India” to “Trust in India.” “Nowhere is this more evident than in the defence sector, where production has tripled over the last decade, surpassing ₹1.5 lakh crore last year,” he said.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions—Admiral Tripathi said the Navy is implementing this through “trust, transparency, and tangible actions.” These include coordinated patrols, maritime surveillance, humanitarian missions, and joint exercises aimed at strengthening regional trust and interoperability.
