Indian Navy charts course for 200+ ships by 2035 | Fusion - WeRIndia

India is steadily strengthening its maritime power as it accelerates naval expansion and domestic shipbuilding efforts.

The Indian Navy has now outlined an ambitious roadmap to significantly increase its fleet size while boosting indigenous defence production.

According to Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, the Navy aims to operate a fleet of more than 200 ships by 2035.

He shared the long-term vision while highlighting the service’s growing pace of ship induction. The plan is designed to enhance operational readiness and expand India’s maritime presence.

The Navy already demonstrated strong momentum in 2025. During the year, it commissioned 12 warships and one submarine.

This expansion marked a major step in strengthening naval capabilities. Moreover, the Navy plans to maintain this pace in the coming years.

In 2026, the force intends to induct about 15 additional ships. If achieved, this will become the highest number of inductions in a single year in the Navy’s history.

Consequently, the fleet will expand faster and support wider operational responsibilities.

Meanwhile, the Navy is also increasing its operational reach. Its missions now extend beyond traditional zones in the Indian Ocean region.

This shift reflects India’s growing strategic role in safeguarding sea lanes and ensuring maritime security.

Alongside fleet expansion, the Navy is focusing strongly on indigenous manufacturing.

The leadership emphasised that the vision of “Aatmanirbhar” or self-reliance has evolved from “Make in India” to “Trust in India.” As a result, the goal is to build a largely self-reliant naval force by 2047.

Recent shipbuilding projects highlight this progress. The newly commissioned INS Anjadip was built at the Larsen & Toubro shipyard in Kattupalli with support from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers.

Furthermore, its combat management system was developed in Ghaziabad, showing the involvement of domestic defence industries.

Therefore, the Navy’s modernisation strategy combines fleet growth with strong domestic production.

Over time, this approach is expected to strengthen India’s maritime security and reduce reliance on foreign defence technology.

As India approaches 2047, the Navy’s expansion plan signals a clear shift toward technological independence and increased maritime influence.

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