Indian Navy Ready For Any China-Pakistan ‘Two-Front’ Maritime Challenge, Says Navy Chief

In an interview with PTI, Admiral Tripathi said the Navy’s efforts are not directed at any particular country but are focused on protecting India’s maritime interests and maintaining security in the Indo-Pacific region.      His comments come as China’s naval presence in the Indian Ocean continues to grow and Beijing deepens its maritime cooperation with Pakistan.      Last month, Pakistan commissioned the first of four Chinese-built diesel-electric attack submarines, part of an effort to modernise its navy with Chinese support.      According to Admiral Tripathi, the Indian Ocean Region is experiencing increasing strategic competition and greater involvement of extra-regional powers, moving away from an era of cooperation towards a period of intense competition.      He said the Indian Navy closely monitors developments in the region and regularly adjusts its force structure, operational concepts, deployment patterns and preparedness levels in response to changing security conditions.     According to Admiral Tripathi, the Navy has significantly improved its surveillance architecture, maritime domain awareness, anti-submarine warfare capabilities, underwater surveillance systems, long-range maritime reconnaissance assets and integrated operational response mechanisms.      He said mission-based deployments at critical maritime choke points and key shipping lanes allow the Navy to maintain a continuous presence, improve surveillance and respond quickly to emerging situations across the region.      “Our efforts are not aimed at any specific nation, but rather at ensuring the absolute security of India’s maritime interests and contributing to a stable, free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. The Navy’s answer to any complex or two-front challenge is credible deterrence backed by capability,” he said.

The Navy chief stressed that deterrence is not based solely on the number of ships or platforms a navy possesses.

“Importantly, deterrence is not built merely through numbers. It is built through credible capability, operational readiness, technological integration, sustained presence, and the ability to impose costs, if required,” he said.

Admiral Tripathi also said the Navy is exploring advanced and niche technologies to gain operational advantages and improve decision-making during operations.

Expressing confidence in the Navy’s combat readiness, he highlighted ongoing modernisation programmes, including the Project 75(I) initiative under which India plans to acquire six stealth submarines. He also referred to plans to expand the Navy’s fleet to more than 200 ships.      The Navy chief said capability enhancement and force modernisation remain key priorities as the maritime environment becomes increasingly competitive and technologically complex.      Since 2025, the Navy has inducted two submarines and 18 warships, including destroyers, frigates and anti-submarine warfare vessels, strengthening its operational capabilities.      Admiral Tripathi also discussed the importance of self-reliance in defence manufacturing, describing Atmanirbharta as essential for strategic autonomy, technological resilience and future combat capability.      “The most transformative milestone during this period is our definitive shift from a ‘buyer’s navy’ to a ‘builder’s navy’,” he said.      He noted that all 45 warships currently under construction are being built in Indian shipyards. He also said recently commissioned vessels have achieved nearly 80% indigenous content.      The Navy chief added that India is moving beyond simple import substitution and is working towards greater self-reliance in components, software and other critical systems used in naval platforms.      He also described the commissioning of India’s 100th indigenously designed warship as an important milestone for the country’s shipbuilding industry.      Referring to recent conflicts in West Asia and the Russia-Ukraine war, Admiral Tripathi said maritime security is closely connected to economic and energy security.

He said disruptions to shipping routes, energy supplies and maritime logistics chains can have immediate economic and strategic consequences, affecting shipping patterns, insurance costs and regional stability.

The Navy chief also emphasised the need for greater integration among the armed forces, saying future conflicts will require seamless coordination across land, sea, air, cyber, space and information domains.     He said any future theatre command structure should focus on improving operational effectiveness and military capability.      Admiral Tripathi cited Operation Sindoor as an example of the Navy’s combat readiness and deterrence capability. He said the deployment of a Carrier Battle Group in the northern Arabian Sea during tensions with Pakistan demonstrated the Navy’s operational preparedness.      According to him, the operation also highlighted the importance of coordination among the three services and the need for greater military integration.