The Indian Navy has embarked on its most ambitious shipbuilding program to date, The Hindu reported on Monday. Currently 54 vessels are under construction in Indian shipyards, according to the newspaper, citing senior officials.

The navy is looking to commission 10 of these warships by December, with all 54 expected to be operational by 2030, the paper said.

India has set a target of expanding its naval fleet to over 200 warships and submarines by 2035, with the possibility of reaching 230 by 2037, the report added.

The indigenous shipbuilding drive aligns with the ‘Make in India’ initiative, which promotes self-reliance in defense manufacturing to boost capabilities and create jobs.

New Delhi has encouraged defense firms from friendly countries to partner with Indian arms manufacturers to bolster the ‘Make in India’ intiative.

India and Russia have long-standing and rich defense relations going back decades. In July Russia handed over the Tamal, the eighth Krivak-class frigate built for India, constructed at the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad with 26% Indian components and overseen by Indian specialists, according to the Indian defense ministry.

Speaking during the handover CEO of United Shipbuilding Corporation reiterated Moscow’s readiness to assist New Delhi in its efforts to indigenize its naval hardware.

“India is an old trusted friend, and we always try to deliver the best we have to our Indian friends,” Puchkov said.

In December 2024, India received a Russian-built Project 11356 stealth frigate, INS Tushil, in addition to two similar frigates, which are part of the Triput class, with transfer of technology and design assistance from Russia. Last month Defense Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned two new locally produced stealth frigates equipped with supersonic BrahMos missiles.