Indian Navy Races to Counter China

India has started building up its navy and establishing bases further out to sea in a move to secure their maritime backyard. The Indian Ocean connects prime shipping routes and over 2.7 billion people live in the various countries surrounding it. Forty per cent of the world’s offshore oil production takes place in the Indian Ocean basin.

Yet despite the name, the Indian Ocean is one of China’s main geostrategic priorities and they appear to be making moves to box in and bypass India for decades as part of their Maritime Silk Road strategy. China’s Navy has recently made high profile maneuvers through the Indian Ocean with a submarine visit to Sri Lanka and then to Pakistan. The Chinese government and their officials stated the increased activity was about trade and security, not aimed towards their rival’s in India. However they did also say quote “the Indian Ocean is not India’s ocean”

India is aiming to change the state of play by building a true bluewater navy that can stand up to any opponent and project Indian power across the Indo-Pacific region. Indian Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Kumar announced the country plans to have a 175 ship navy by 2035 along with major upgrades to existing hulls. How can India modernize their naval power? What kind of ships is India building and what do they tell us of the country’s overall strategy? Hit the like button and join our Task & Purpose discord server if you haven’t yet. This is the story of the Indian Navy and what the future holds for one of the fastest growing naval forces on the planet.

The story of how india went from a buyers to a builders was not a simple a to b process.
The Indian Navy operates a unique mix of western, eastern, and indigenously designed equipment. Following India’s independence from British rule in 1947, the country operated mostly foreign vessels in its navy for much of the 20th Century. India had inherited two frigates and a few dozen smaller vessels from the UK, but also purchased or licensed from other nations over the following decades, including the Soviet Union. Despite close ties to the British Navy following almost a century of colonial rule, India didn’t want to get drawn into the superpower clash of the Cold War. This is because India believes in a policy known as “strategic autonomy,” what that means is they want to reserve the right to make their own decisions independent of external pressure.

According to this 30 page declassified CIA document from 1988 their analysis stated that following India’s independence India originally pursued a naval strategy that was mainly just diplomatic measures because they had yet to build up a large force. quote “New Delhi's Indian Ocean strategy centers on maritime defense and the assertion of its leadership over other regional states. It also includes supporting the internal stability of these states, protecting the interests of local Indian ethnic groups, and limiting—if not supplanting-foreign presences.” The document goes on to state that beginning in 1988 India started to modernize and expand their navy to actually start projecting power.

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[shaider]

Thank you India for selling Brahmoses to the Philippines👍🇵🇭

[pookatim]

It is somewhat ironic that China declares that the "Indian Ocean is not India's Ocean" yet they also declare that the South China Sea is China's Sea.

[PaulGuy]

It's worth noting that India has had at least one carrier in its fleet since 1961. They have decades of experience in carrier operations and fleet coordination that China simply lacks. That experience can't be learned in a few short years or stolen.

Also, India has been strengthening diplomatic and military relationships with their neighbors in SE Asia, all of whom have their own critical interests in keeping China in check. China is encroaching on all its neighbors, and a strong coalition is the best defense.

[CasaLobo]

As a Filipino I should also say South China Sea is not China's Sea!

[GeorgeWashingtonLaserMusket]

As an American I welcome a strong neutral India. They're certainly not the "puppet of the west" nor are they inclined to let China walk over them. I like the idea of working with India so if something happens we're already prepared to work together.

[psychocuda]

China: "The Indian Ocean isn't India's ocean." India: "The South China Sea isn't China's sea." China: 😲

[steven]

14:05 Barak 8 is an Indo-Israeli jointly developed AA missiles, i did laser welding on plenty of them.

[sarants]

Indias two island chains in indian ocean also have great stratergic value. The lakshadweep islands in arabian sea and andaman and nicobar islands in bay of bengal near Malacca straight. The andaman islands are situated right at the mouth of Malacca straight

[Archer]

Chinese Fleet may be larger but they cant fully commit to the Indian Ocean because Taiwan, Japan and Korea exists. Indian Navy has the home turf advantage and the air force can supplement the striking capabilities with their Su-30/Brahmos combo

[johnnycaps]

Nice to know that India is looking not to be bullied by anyone. They clearly want peace but are preparing for any contingency. It's also nice to know that if one ever needs any kind of telephone support help at any time of the night there will often be a friendly citizen of India will to speak to you in English to help. Nice.

[wompa]

China saying "The Indian Ocean is not India's ocean" is rich.
India's anti-piracy operations have been incredible. They've done tons of work during the Yemen attacks.

[AdwaitKharade]

India announced that they will soon build additional 6 aircraft carriers battle group making it a total of 9

[Kaiserboo]

You go India.

Don’t let China bully you.

Become the Great Power you were always destined to be.

[jpao]

China also shook us up in the 🇵🇭.

We literally only cared about local insurgencies, hence the lack of military upgrade. But now that China asserts themselves more in the WPS? Our politicians started to grasp the reality of being "small".

I can only hope we'll one day see ourselves as the builders, just like India.

[bigboss.]

When ever Indian Navy goes to war world map changes .

[krishnapratapmalik]

Out of the three services, the Indian Navy is the only one that is directly involved in the design & development of its systems.

[Wargasm]

Glad to see Indias 🇮🇳 growth into a proper superpower. They will certainly get there. They are doing some amazing things. Great chess players, missions to the moon, and modernizing its military. I know there are a lot of Indians that are reluctant to cozy up to the West because of past colonial tensions. But I’ve always liked the Indian people and I’m glad to see them come up. I think we should have a strong friendship and alliance with India. But because India is cozy with Russia, I don’t think it will ever be a “nato” type relationship with the west. I have nothing against Russia. As a matter of fact I think it’s dumb the USA doesn’t pursue a friendship with Russia. Cold War mentality continues… Anyways, congrats to India on recent achievements 👍🏻

[mrgunn]

India sitting between nuclear armed China and Pakistan, it is not paranoia when they ARE out to get you.

[charleswomack]

It should noted that during that land border skirmish, The Indian Army well out performed the PLA, despite being outnumbered. The battle was fought mostly in unarmed(hand-to-hand) combat, as long ago the two sides agreed to not carry firearms whilst patrolling contested land.

[DtWolfwood]

Like the old saying, strong fences make for good neighbors. So this is good for India and China. Keeping each other in check.