INS Kamorta anti-submarine Kamorta-class stealth corvette
India is poised to embark on a significant naval modernisation drive with the Cabinet Committee on Security expected to clear a ₹40,000 crore project for eight New Generation Corvettes.
These warships will be built indigenously at Garden Reach Shipbuilders in
Kolkata and Goa Shipyard, marking another step in the country’s push for
self-reliance in defence production. The corvettes, though smaller than
frigates and destroyers, will be versatile platforms capable of speeds of
around 30 knots and equipped for anti-submarine warfare, surface strike
missions, and air defence.
The Navy’s current corvette fleet, comprising Veer, Khukri and Kora classes,
is ageing, with many vessels nearing three decades of service. The New
Generation Corvettes are expected to replace the Khukri and Kora classes,
offering greater capability and endurance.
Alongside them, the Navy operates four Kamorta-class corvettes and smaller
vessels of the Mahe and Arnala classes. The new ships will be larger and more
advanced, reflecting India’s shift away from reliance on Soviet and Russian
designs towards indigenous production.
The timing of this project is critical, as Pakistan has already inducted four
MILGEM-class corvettes from Turkey, known locally as the Babur-class. These
3,000-ton vessels are equipped for multi-role operations, including air
defence and anti-submarine warfare, and represent a significant enhancement of
Pakistan’s naval strength. India’s New Generation Corvettes will serve as a
counterbalance, ensuring the Navy retains a technological and operational edge
in the region.
The first of the eight corvettes is expected to join the fleet by 2030, with
subsequent deliveries likely on an annual basis. This gradual induction will
allow the Navy to phase out older platforms while steadily strengthening its
coastal and blue-water capabilities. The project also underscores the
government’s emphasis on Atmanirbharta, with a majority of systems and
components sourced domestically.
Parallel to this, India is preparing to induct the first of 26 maritime Rafale
fighters under a ₹60,000 crore deal with France. These aircraft, slated to
arrive by late 2026, will operate from the INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant
aircraft carriers, replacing the ageing Russian MiG-29K fleet.
The Rafales
will significantly enhance India’s carrier strike capability, complementing
the new corvettes in building a balanced and modern naval force.
Together, the corvette and Rafale acquisitions represent a major leap in
India’s maritime power projection. They will not only modernise the fleet but
also signal India’s determination to secure its interests in the Indian Ocean
region against growing challenges from both Pakistan and China.
Agencies
