Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirms the Navy’s growing role not just in maritime security but also in safeguarding India’s economic lifeline
The world today is undergoing a radical change, no longer the peacetime is peaceful and the danger is lurking round the corner, especially when you are in international waters. From braving the Houthi pirates pirates to avoiding the crossfire of warring nations, maritime shipping is no longer a safe vocation. To protect and thwart the attacks on India’s maritime interests, Indian Navy has a bigger role to play. This is what Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored as he commissioned two indigenously built stealth frigate — INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri — at the Eastern Naval Command. Indeed, in today’s politics Navy’s role is no longer confined to guarding India’s vast coastline. It has a vital role to play in shifting geopolitics which has made sea routes vulnerable and disrupted the supply line. This also includes safeguarding vital sea lanes that sustain India’s imports of oil and natural gas.
The Defence Minister also highlighted India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing, announcing that future naval ships would be built entirely at home under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The commissioning of the two frigate would significantly boost the Navy’s operational reach, resilience, and deterrence capabilities. India’s naval posture is increasingly central to regional geopolitics, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), which has become the fulcrum of global trade and energy flows. With growing tensions in the South China Sea, rising Chinese presence in the IOR, and frequent piracy threats, the Indian Navy is positioning itself as a net security provider for littoral states.
Beyond traditional maritime defence, the Navy now has a big role in securing energy routes, ensuring freedom of navigation, deterring piracy, and extending humanitarian assistance across the Indo-Pacific. Its operational footprint extends from the Gulf of Aden to the Strait of Malacca, underlining India’s aspirations as a responsible regional power. The Indian Navy currently fields over 130 ships and submarines, with a modernisation drive underway to induct nuclear and conventional submarines, and carrier-based capabilities.
Indigenous construction has gained momentum, with nearly two-thirds of its fleet under construction being built in Indian shipyards. The commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, represents a leap in blue-water capability. Alongside the ongoing deployment of aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, long-range maritime patrol aircraft, and a growing fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, the Navy is steadily consolidating its role as the first responder in the Indian Ocean.
At a time when the global maritime order faces turbulence, India’s determination to leverage naval power not just for defence, but also for strategic influence and economic security is a prudent move.
