INDIAN NAVY AND AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT
The Indian Navy is undergoing a strategic transformation under Vision 2047 to become a fully indigenous, technology-driven maritime force. The focus areas are innovation, indigenisation, and integration of advanced technologies, aligned with the national Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission.
INDIGENISATION AND STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE
Indigenisation is critical for operational autonomy, supply-chain security, and national security during crises. India’s role as “first responder” in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has expanded through HADR operations, anti-piracy missions, and maritime security. India safeguards major global trade routes, as nearly 50% of global trade and 40% of oil transit through the Indo-Pacific. The coastline (11,098 km) and EEZ (2.4 million sq km) require strong maritime capabilities.
NAVAL INDIGENISATION STATUS
Over 40 indigenous warships and submarines have been inducted since 2014, with one new platform added every 40 days in the last year. About 67% of capital procurement in the last decade has been from Indian industry. Machinery indigenisation levels: Float – 90%, Move – 60%, Fight – 50%.
BUDGET AND MODERNISATION
The Navy’s budget has grown from ₹49,623 crore (2020–21) to ₹1.03 lakh crore (2025–26). Defence budget stands at ₹6.81 lakh crore in 2025–26, showing sustained emphasis on maritime power. Capital expenditure for ships, submarines, and aviation has sharply increased, indicating focus on future warfare technologies.
KEY PLATFORMS AND SHIPBUILDING
51 major warships are under construction in India (~₹90,000 crore value). Indigenous achievements include:
– INS Vikrant: First indigenous aircraft carrier, 76% indigenous content.
– Project 15B: Visakhapatnam-class destroyers (modern air defence and strike capability).
– Project 17A: Nilgiri-class stealth frigates (advanced sensors and weapons).
– Survey vessels and ASW crafts like INS Sandhayak, INS Androth, INS Mahe with high indigenous content.
SUBMARINE CAPABILITY
Project-75: Six Kalvari-class submarines strengthen underwater warfare.
Indigenous AIP system developed by DRDO for endurance enhancement.
Advanced sonar systems like HUMSA NG, ABHAY, and ALTAS support indigenous underwater dominance.
WEAPONS AND SENSORS
Indigenous missile systems include VL-SRSAM and BrahMos.
Torpedoes and countermeasures: Maareech, Varunastra, ALWT, MIGM.
Electronic warfare systems such as Shakti, Varuna, and Sangraha indigenised.
AVIATION
HAL Dhruv helicopters used for SAR, surveillance, and logistics.
More than 340 produced, exported to friendly nations.
POLICY FRAMEWORK
INIP 2015–2030: Roadmap for indigenisation across Float, Move, Fight.
NIIO (2020): Innovation ecosystem linking military, startups, and academia.
SPRINT: Target of inducting 75 indigenous technologies.
iDEX: Defence innovation funding (up to ₹10 crore).
SRIJAN Portal and Positive Indigenisation Lists: Over 3,000 defence items indigenised.
STRATEGIC CONCLUSION
The Indian Navy has moved from “Buyer’s Navy” to “Builder’s Navy.” Indigenisation strengthens India’s maritime autonomy, industrial growth, and geopolitical influence. The Navy is emerging as a major pillar of India’s national power in the Indo-Pacific and supports long-term security under Vision 2047.
MOTTO
“Jalmev Yasya, Balmev Tasya” – One who controls the sea, controls power.
MCQ:
1. The primary objective of the Indian Navy’s Vision 2047 is to:
(a) Expand foreign procurement of naval platforms
(b) Achieve complete technological isolation from allies
(c) Maintain only coastal security operations
(d) Become a fully indigenous and technologically advanced maritime force
2. The Indian Naval Indigenisation Plan (INIP) 2015–2030 focuses on indigenisation under which three functional categories?
(a) Attack, Defence, Logistics
(b) Air, Sea, Space
(c) Float, Move and Fight
(d) Surface, Sub-surface and Air
3. India is referred to as the “first responder” in the Indian Ocean Region mainly because:
(a) It controls the Strait of Malacca
(b) It conducts frequent humanitarian and disaster relief operations
(c) It owns maximum merchant ships
(d) It hosts most naval exercises
4. Approximately what percentage of India’s capital procurement for the Navy over the last decade has been from Indian industry?
(a) 35%
(b) 50%
(c) 67%
(d) 90%
5. Which one of the following best reflects India’s maritime economic dependence?
(a) 90% of India’s population lives in coastal towns
(b) 90% of India’s trade and 80% of freight is sea-based
(c) 50% of India’s oil is mined offshore
(d) 75% of GDP comes from ports
6. INS Vikrant is significant because:
(a) It is India’s first nuclear-powered submarine
(b) It is India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier
(c) It is India’s longest-serving warship
(d) It is India’s first stealth destroyer
7. Project 17A is associated with:
(a) Aircraft carriers
(b) Submarine development
(c) Stealth frigates
(d) Missile testing facility
8. The Kalvari class submarines were developed under:
(a) Project 15B
(b) Project 17
(c) Project 75
(d) Project 15A
9. Which missile system was inducted by the Indian Navy in March 2025?
(a) Barak-8
(b) Agni-V
(c) VL-SRSAM
(d) Akash-NG
10. Which indigenous torpedo defence system protects Indian naval vessels against enemy torpedoes?
(a) Varunastra
(b) Shakti
(c) Maareech
(d) ALTAS
11. The Navy’s budget crossed ₹1 lakh crore in:
(a) 2020–21
(b) 2022–23
(c) 2023–24
(d) 2025–26
12. The Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) was established in:
(a) 2018
(b) 2019
(c) 2020
(d) 2022
13. Under the SPRINT initiative, the Navy aims to induct:
(a) 50 new platforms
(b) 60 foreign systems
(c) 75 indigenous technologies
(d) 100 private shipyards
14. The Warship-grade steel used for Indian warships was jointly developed by:
(a) DRDO and HAL
(b) DRDO, SAIL and Indian Navy
(c) BHEL and ISRO
(d) L&T and BEL
15. Which statement best describes the Indian Navy’s transformation?
(a) From Coastal Navy to International Navy
(b) From Merchant Navy to Combat Navy
(c) From Buyer’s Navy to Builder’s Navy
(d) From Allied Navy to Neutral Navy
0 comment