Homegrown Strength: India’s Naval Innovations Dwarf The Pakistan-China Alliance – OpEd

India’s naval shipbuilding and weapon development programmes have emerged as significant strategic assets, highlighting the country’s growing self-reliance in maritime security. As India’s naval power surges, Pakistan’s reliance on China for military support becomes increasingly apparent, highlighting a growing gap in both countries’ capacities to sustain independent maritime modernisation.

India’s progress, built on decades of domestic innovation, contrasts starkly with Pakistan’s dependency on foreign technology, particularly from China. This strategic divergence is reshaping the power balance in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, where India’s naval superiority is becoming increasingly dominant.

A History of Self-Reliance in Shipbuilding

India’s journey toward self-reliance in shipbuilding began in the 1970s with the launch of INS Nilgiri, the first locally produced frigate. This milestone marked the start of a robust shipbuilding tradition that has only grown stronger over the decades. Today, India’s domestic shipbuilding capabilities are showcased by advanced platforms like the INS Vikrant—India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier—and the Arihant-class nuclear submarines, both designed and constructed entirely within the country.

The commissioning of INS Vikrant in 2022 placed India among a select group of nations capable of building an aircraft carrier from scratch. This achievement highlights the Indian Navy’s strategic autonomy and ability to domestically produce cutting-edge military assets, a crucial advantage over regional competitors like Pakistan. The Indian Naval Design Bureau, based in New Delhi, has been instrumental in shaping these developments, designing a wide range of platforms such as the Kolkata-class destroyers and Shivalik-class frigates, further establishing India’s self-reliance.

In contrast, Pakistan’s shipbuilding industry remains underdeveloped, with most of its naval platforms sourced from foreign suppliers. The Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited (KS&EW), though functional, has not been able to match India’s advanced shipyards like Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), and private-sector players like Larsen & Toubro (L&T), all of which contribute to India’s extensive domestic shipbuilding ecosystem.

India’s Comprehensive Naval Modernisation

India’s approach to naval shipbuilding is comprehensive. It focuses on three core areas: the construction of advanced floating platforms, the development of propulsion systems, and the integration of cutting-edge weapons and sensors. The Indian Navy has made considerable progress across all these domains. Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Indian Navy chief at the time, outlined the navy’s self-reliance goals during a 2023 event, stating, “In the ‘float’ component, we have achieved almost 95% self-reliance. In the ‘move’ component, we are at 65%, and in the ‘fight’ component, we are at 55%.”

These figures represent India’s ongoing efforts to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers while building a navy that can compete with global powers. By 2047, the Indian Navy aims to achieve complete self-sufficiency, making it the most self-reliant force in the region. Key platforms under construction at Indian shipyards include the P-15B destroyers, P-17A frigates, and multiple auxiliary and support vessels. These warships, constructed with minimal foreign assistance, solidify India’s role as a regional leader in naval shipbuilding.

Indigenous Weapon Development

India’s indigenous weapons systems further enhance its naval superiority. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is a prime example of India’s prowess in creating advanced offensive capabilities. With supersonic speeds and the ability to strike both land and sea targets, BrahMos provides the Indian Navy with a distinct edge over its regional rivals.

Similarly, India’s indigenous development of Astra radars and other surveillance systems ensures that its naval platforms are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies. These advancements place India well ahead of Pakistan, whose dependence on Chinese weapon systems, such as the Type 054A/P frigates, limits its technological capabilities and strategic flexibility.

Pakistan’s Dependence on China

Pakistan’s naval modernisation is deeply tied to its relationship with China, which has been the primary supplier of its naval platforms and technologies. The acquisition of Type 054A/P frigates and Hangor-class submarines illustrates Pakistan’s dependence on Chinese expertise. While these acquisitions have improved Pakistan’s naval capabilities, they do not represent a shift toward strategic autonomy. Instead, Pakistan’s military remains reliant on external suppliers for its modernisation efforts, a significant limitation in its long-term naval development.

This dependence on China not only constrains Pakistan’s ability to innovate but also exposes it to the risks of political and economic fluctuations in its relationship with Beijing. Different from India, which can independently design, build, and upgrade its naval platforms, Pakistan’s navy remains entangled in a transactional relationship that restricts its operational and strategic flexibility.

Strategic Autonomy vs. Dependency

The strategic autonomy afforded by India’s indigenous shipbuilding programmes is a critical advantage. India’s nuclear-powered Arihant-class submarines, capable of launching ballistic missiles, offer a credible second-strike capability, enhancing the country’s deterrence posture. This capability is crucial in a region where nuclear powers such as China and Pakistan are active, giving India a significant strategic edge.

India’s long-term investments in naval aviation, including the integration of P-8I Poseidon aircraft and MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, further bolster its anti-submarine warfare capabilities. These advanced systems provide the Indian Navy with superior surveillance and strike capabilities, especially in the critical waters of the Indian Ocean, where submarine activity is expected to increase in the coming decades.

Pakistan, despite recent upgrades to its submarine fleet, still needs to catch up. Although the introduction of air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems in its submarines represents a technological advancement, these vessels are still vulnerable to India’s more advanced detection and neutralisation technologies.

Implications for Regional Security

The disparity between India’s self-reliant naval modernisation and Pakistan’s China-dependent fleet has far-reaching implications for regional security. In the strategically vital Indian Ocean region, where major global trade routes intersect, India’s ability to project power independently enhances its influence, not just over Pakistan, but also against larger geopolitical adversaries like China.

India’s growing maritime capabilities align with its broader strategic objectives, which include safeguarding sea lines of communication (SLOCs) and maintaining a favourable balance of power in South Asia. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s reliance on Chinese support places it in a subordinate position, limiting its ability to act independently and influencing its strategic calculations.

India’s domestic shipbuilding and weapon development programmes provide it with unmatched strategic autonomy, making the Indian Navy a dominant force in the region. This self-reliance stands in stark contrast to Pakistan’s dependence on China, creating a widening capability gap that will likely shape the regional security landscape for years to come. As India continues to strengthen its naval capabilities, its position in the Indian Ocean and its influence on South Asian security will only grow, reinforcing its status as a maritime power of global significance.