India-Pakistan Tensions: The Rising Strength of the Indian Navy

Escalation from Pakistan has led to an increase in military operations, as the Indian armed forces and other security agencies worked through the night to thwart Pakistani attacks on Indian soil.

Amidst the surge of information, there have been unverified reports, including claims that the Indian Navy was deployed to target Karachi's southern port in Pakistan.

The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Navy. Image/IndianNavy

Several unofficial reports suggested that India’s domestically produced aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, stationed in the Arabian Sea, might have been involved in a potential strike, although no official confirmation has been provided.

A Twitter account, ‘Karachi Port Trust Official’, initially denied these claims, later changing its stance and suggesting that a strike may indeed have taken place. Experts have since pointed out that the account likely fell victim to hacking.

Sources indicate that while the Indian Navy has not initiated any offensive at sea, it remains on high alert.

The Western Naval Command, based in Mumbai, is fully mobilized and operationally prepared to protect India’s maritime interests and respond promptly to any hostile actions by Pakistan.

Exploring the Strength and Capabilities of the Indian Navy

As India adapts its strategic approach in the swiftly evolving Indo-Pacific region, the Indian Navy has become a key component of the country's military strategy. In recent years, the Navy has made significant progress—both as a counterbalance to China's growing assertiveness and as a reflection of India's expanding maritime vision. With a fleet exceeding 130 warships—including nuclear submarines, state-of-the-art destroyers, and two aircraft carriers—the Navy is steadily transforming into a formidable blue-water force, capable of projecting power far from home and contributing to regional stability. The current Chief of Naval Staff is Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi.

History and Origins of the Indian Navy

The Indian Navy's origins can be traced back to 1612, when the East India Company established its Marine. After gaining independence, it evolved from a modest coastal defense force into a powerful modern fleet capable of power projection and strategic deterrence.

While some historians also point to ancient kingdoms like the Gupta dynasty, which is believed to have possessed a formidable naval fleet around the 6th century, showcasing India’s long-standing maritime prowess.

The Navy’s pivotal role in the 1971 war, where it successfully blockaded East Pakistan and bombarded enemy positions in Karachi, remains one of the most significant moments in its history.

Over time, India's maritime strategy has evolved alongside its expanding economic and strategic interests. The Navy's responsibilities have broadened from safeguarding the nation's extensive 7,500 km coastline and protecting exclusive economic zones to serving as a key security provider in the Indian Ocean.

A Contemporary Blue-Water Force

The Indian Navy has a diverse and progressively modernizing set of capabilities. Its surface fleet boasts two active aircraft carriers — INS Vikramaditya and the domestically constructed INS Vikrant, which is a tribute to the 1961 INS Vikrant and was commissioned in 2022. Together, these carriers reflect India's ambitions for power projection and maritime supremacy.

Beyond aircraft carriers, the fleet also includes formidable stealth destroyers such as INS Visakhapatnam and INS Surat (Project 15B), cutting-edge stealth frigates like INS Nilgiri (Project 17A), and a wide range of offshore patrol vessels, amphibious ships, and fast attack crafts.

The submarine force has grown significantly as well. Six Scorpène-class (Kalvari-class) diesel-electric submarines, developed in collaboration with France under Project-75, are now operational.

The final submarine in the series, INS Vagsheer, was commissioned in January 2025, completing the first phase of the program successfully.

Additionally, India's second indigenously-built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Arighaat, was inducted into service in late 2024, further strengthening India's second-strike nuclear deterrent.

The Aerial Capabilities of the Indian Navy

Naval aviation, a key force multiplier in maritime operations, has seen significant advancements. In March 2024, the Navy welcomed its first squadron of MH-60R Seahawk multi-role helicopters, supplied by the U.S. These helicopters are designed for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and special operations.

Squadron INAS 334, based in Kochi, is now fully operational.

Additionally, surveillance capabilities have been enhanced with the introduction of Drishti-10 Starliner drones, which feature high-endurance sensors and can fly for up to 36 hours. These drones are set to patrol India’s expansive maritime borders, including the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands.

TROPEX 2025

The recently concluded Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX) 2025 by the Indian Navy showcased its operational capabilities. This biennial drill saw the participation of more than 75 warships, 50 aircraft, and 15 submarines, carried out across the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.

The exercise featured various operations, including aircraft carrier maneuvers, long-range missile launches, and anti-submarine warfare tactics, in collaboration with the Indian Air Force and Army.

Defence analysts have interpreted TROPEX 2025 as a strong signal—directed not only towards potential adversaries but also to regional allies—that India is committed to assuming a leadership role in ensuring security within the Indo-Pacific.

Deployment of the Indian Navy in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War

The Indian Navy played a critical and historic role in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, which led to the formation of Bangladesh. It stands as one of the most successful military deployments in Indian naval history, highlighting the Navy’s offensive strength and strategic foresight.

One of the earliest and most dramatic moments of the conflict was the sinking of PNS Ghazi, a Pakistani submarine that had set sail from Karachi with the mission of targeting India’s aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, which had been commissioned in 1961.

The Ghazi sank under mysterious circumstances off the coast of Visakhapatnam during the night of 3–4 December 1971, coinciding with the official start of the war. While Pakistan claimed an internal explosion caused the sinking, Indian sources attribute it to depth charges released by INS Rajput, a destroyer patrolling the area.

This event eliminated a significant threat to India’s naval operations in the eastern theater, providing India both a psychological and strategic advantage.

On the western front, Operation Trident was launched on 4 December 1971, a day after the conflict began. A strike group comprising INS Nipat, INS Nirghat, and INS Veer — equipped with Styx missiles — attacked Karachi Harbour.

This bold nighttime assault led to the sinking of PNS Khyber, a destroyer, PNS Muhafiz, and two other ships, along with severe damage to port infrastructure. It also marked the first successful use of anti-ship missiles in combat in the region, marking a milestone in naval warfare.

Following this, Operation Python commenced on the night of 8–9 December, with a missile strike on Karachi by INS Vinash and supporting vessels. The attack caused further damage to Pakistani naval assets and critical oil storage tanks at Karachi port, resulting in massive fires and fuel shortages.

As a result, Karachi's port operations were effectively crippled, and the Pakistan Navy was effectively blockaded, unable to leave port for the remainder of the war.

In the eastern theater, the Indian Navy retained control of the Bay of Bengal, supporting ground operations and imposing a naval blockade around East Pakistan.

INS Vikrant, along with its Sea Hawk aircraft, played a crucial role in launching airstrikes on coastal targets in Chittagong and Cox's Bazar, disrupting enemy supply lines and troop movements.

Collectively, these operations demonstrated the Indian Navy’s evolution from a defensive coastal force to a formidable blue-water navy. Its achievements during the 1971 war are seen as a pivotal moment in India's naval history, and this success is celebrated every year on Navy Day, December 4, in honor of Operation Trident’s triumph.

Comparing India's Navy with Pakistan's

India's navy is notably superior in terms of size and strategic reach. With a fleet of 293 ships, including two aircraft carriers, 13 destroyers, and 18 submarines, India is recognized as a blue-water navy capable of operations in all global maritime regions.

In contrast, Pakistan's naval fleet comprises 121 vessels, lacking aircraft carriers or destroyers and featuring only eight submarines. Its operations are focused on the Arabian Sea, positioning it as a green-water navy that primarily serves coastal defense needs.

Ensuring Fleet Longevity and Efficiency

India’s long-term naval strategy is highly ambitious. According to the Ministry of Defence, the goal is to expand the Navy to 175 ships by 2035, up from the current fleet of around 135 vessels.

A key part of this plan is focused on domestic production. More than 60 ships are under construction in Indian shipyards, with various projects underway. This includes 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs), 16 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), and several missile boats within the Next Generation Corvette program.

Additionally, India is working on its third aircraft carrier, INS Vishal, which is expected to be a massive 65,000-ton vessel. It may feature advanced technology, such as a Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) system and nuclear propulsion.

While design details are still being refined, the project reflects India’s vision of deploying a three-carrier battle group in the coming decades.

Major Defence Deals of the Indian Navy

In January 2025, a German-Indian joint venture emerged as the sole eligible bidder for the highly anticipated Project-75I, a ₹41,000 crore ($5 billion) initiative to develop six conventional submarines with air-independent propulsion. This deal aligns with India's ongoing Make in India initiative and is expected to be finalized by year-end.

In addition, India finalized a €7 billion ($7.4 billion) agreement with France in April 2025 for the procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets, intended for carrier-based operations. These jets will replace the aging MiG-29K fleet on INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.

Another key acquisition involves the purchase of over 220 extended-range BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, with deliveries currently underway. These missiles, capable of striking targets more than 450 km away, play a crucial role in India’s anti-ship and land-attack strategies.

Furthermore, India plans to deploy coastal defense systems with BrahMos under the Next Generation Maritime Mobile Coastal Batteries (NGMMCB) program, with deliveries slated for 2027.

Geopolitical Urgency in Maritime Diplomacy

India’s maritime diplomacy is gaining momentum. In early 2025, Indonesia began discussions to procure BrahMos missiles for its Navy, adding to a growing list of international interest after the Philippines struck a similar deal the previous year.

The potential agreement surfaced during Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to New Delhi in January, underscoring India’s expanding influence in the global arms market.

At the same time, the Indian Navy continues to engage in multilateral exercises such as Malabar (with the US, Japan, and Australia), MILAN, and VARUNA (with France).

The Indo-Pacific region remains the Indian Navy’s primary focus. As China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) strengthens its presence in the area — with bases in Djibouti and port access in Gwadar and Hambantota — India is pursuing a proactive strategy to assert its dominance throughout the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Defence experts note that India’s “collaborative deterrence” approach seeks to partner with like-minded nations, enhance surveillance of vital chokepoints like the Malacca Strait and Persian Gulf, and provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) during regional crises.

However, challenges persist — from delays in shipbuilding to gaps in anti-submarine warfare and undersea domain awareness. Overcoming these obstacles will be crucial for unlocking the full potential of a Navy that aims not only to defend but also to shape the future of the Indo-Pacific.

The Indian Navy is laying the groundwork for maritime supremacy in the decades to come.

(Source: First Post, Financial Express, NDTV)