In what ways do the commissioning of new warships like INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri reflect India’s evolving maritime security strategy?

The commissioning of new warships such as INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri is a significant step in India’s efforts to strengthen its maritime capabilities. These ships are part of the Indian Navy’s modernization drive, reflecting the country’s focus on safeguarding its maritime interests and responding to emerging security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

• Indigenization and Self-Reliance: Both warships are built under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, showcasing India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence production and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
• Enhanced Combat Capabilities: These ships are equipped with advanced weapons, sensors, and stealth features, enabling the Navy to tackle threats ranging from conventional warfare to asymmetric and non-traditional challenges like piracy and terrorism.
• Power Projection in the Indian Ocean: The addition of modern warships enhances India’s ability to project power and maintain a robust presence in the strategically important Indian Ocean Region, countering growing extra-regional influences.
• Network-Centric Operations: The new ships are integrated with sophisticated communication and surveillance systems, allowing seamless coordination with other naval assets and boosting maritime domain awareness.
• Multi-Role Flexibility: INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri are designed for multi-mission roles, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-air warfare, and surface warfare, making the fleet more versatile to handle diverse maritime contingencies.
• Focus on Blue-Water Navy Aspirations: The commissioning reflects India’s ambition to transition from a ‘brown-water’ (coastal) navy to a ‘blue-water’ (deep-sea) navy capable of operating across oceans and safeguarding far-flung interests.
• Regional Security Partnerships: With a stronger navy, India is better positioned to participate in joint exercises, humanitarian missions, and disaster relief operations, thus reinforcing its role as a net security provider in the region.