India’s journey toward self-reliance began with INS Kalvari, the first of the Scorpene-class submarines built under Project-75. These submarines, constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai, have advanced stealth, sonar, and weapon systems, making them a formidable underwater force.
The Pahalgam terrorist attack, which killed 26 tourists, triggered a swift and robust Indian Navy response in the Arabian Sea, with carrier groups, destroyers, and submarines deployed at full combat readiness within 96 hours. This show of maritime strength forced the Pakistan Navy into a defensive posture near its harbours, demonstrating India’s resolve and deterrence following the attack.
It was not just a test of India’s resolve but a demonstration of how decades of indigenous naval development have transformed the nation’s ability to deter and respond to threats. As Indian naval assets surged into the Arabian Sea within 96 hours of the attack, it became clear that the backbone of India’s crisis response was not imported hardware but homegrown innovation and self-reliance—a vision encapsulated by the Navy’s Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) doctrine. The Indian Navy has truly led the way in self-reliance over the decades.
INS Vikrant: A Symbol of Indigenous Power
From Kalvari to Project-75: Subsurface Strength
India’s journey toward self-reliance began with INS Kalvari, the first of the Scorpene-class submarines built under Project-75. These submarines, constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai, have advanced stealth, sonar, and weapon systems, making them a formidable underwater force. Project-75 has enhanced India’s deterrence against regional adversaries and fostered a skilled ecosystem of engineers, scientists, and manufacturers. The ongoing expansion into Project-75I and future indigenous nuclear submarines reflects a long-term vision to secure India’s vast maritime interests.
The Indian Navy operates over 135 warships, with a significant and growing proportion built indigenously, including advanced destroyers, frigates, corvettes, and submarines. Currently, 64 new vessels are under construction, nearly all in Indian shipyards, and recent frontline warships like the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, destroyer INS Surat, and frigate INS Nilgiri showcase India’s rapid progress in self-reliant naval shipbuilding, with up to 75 percent indigenous content in new platforms.
The indigenous platforms operated by the Indian Navy can carry out intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and even precision strikes—capabilities that proved crucial in maintaining maritime domain awareness (MDA) and operational flexibility.