With 18 warships in 2026, 12 in 2025, Indian Navy Eyes Largest-Ever Fleet Expansion; Tracing India's Record-Breaking Maritime Growth Over the Years

The Indian Navy is witnessing a rapid expansion of its fleet, with 18 warships and submarines planned for induction or commissioning in 2026, according to the Ministry of Defence. The figure would represent the largest single-year force accretion in the Navy’s history. This follows the induction of 12 ships and submarines in 2025, highlighting the accelerating pace of India’s naval modernisation.

12 Warships and Submarines Added in 2025

The Navy commissioned 12 ships and submarines during 2025, including major frontline platforms such as INS Surat, INS Nilgiri and INS Vaghsheer. INS Surat is a Project 15B guided-missile destroyer, while INS Nilgiri is the first Project 17A stealth frigate. INS Vaghsheer, the sixth and final submarine of Project 75, completed the programme’s planned submarine inductions.

The government has also highlighted that all 52 warships currently being inducted into the Navy are being built in India, while orders for another 75 ships and submarines were in the final stages as of the 2025 year-end review.

18 Warships Planned for 2026

The pace has increased further in 2026. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on September 29 that 18 warships are planned for induction or commissioning during the year. He described 2026 as a historic year for the Navy, with the planned additions constituting the largest single-year force expansion in its history.

Among the vessels commissioned during 2026 are INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray, all designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE). The three platforms have more than 75% indigenous content and involve participation from more than 200 Indian MSMEs.

Navy’s Push for Indigenous Shipbuilding

The expansion is closely linked to India’s push for greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The Ministry of Defence said in 2025 that 51 large ships worth around ₹90,000 crore were under construction in Indian shipyards. It also said that more than 40 indigenous warships and submarines had been delivered to the Navy since 2014.

The Navy’s shipbuilding programme therefore involves not only increasing fleet numbers but also developing domestic capabilities in ship design, weapons, sensors and other maritime systems. According to the Defence Ministry, warships commissioned recently contain more than 75% indigenous content.

The fleet expansion comes as India seeks to strengthen maritime surveillance, secure sea lanes and expand its operational capabilities across the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.