8 Indian Navy Warships and Submarines That Power the Blue Water Force

INS Vikrant (R11) is more than an aircraft carrier—it’s a milestone in India’s naval history. Commissioned in September 2022, she is the nation’s first indigenously built carrier and the largest ship ever constructed in India.

Her name revives a proud legacy. The original INS Vikrant was India’s first aircraft carrier and a hero of the 1971 war, when its aircraft crippled enemy ports and enforced a blockade on East Pakistan.

The new INS Vikrant inherits that spirit, giving India a second operational carrier and strengthening its blue-water reach. Built entirely at home, she places India among the few nations able to design and construct carriers, standing as a true symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and rising maritime strength.

A twin to the indigenously built INS Vikrant, INS Vikramaditya (R33) is a modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier and the flagship of the Indian Navy. Originally belonging to Russia’s Admiral Gorshkov, the vessel was extensively modernised before being commissioned into the Indian Navy.

Vikramaditya is the Navy’s largest ship, with 23 decks and accommodating over 1,600 personnel—a true “floating city.” Its versatile air wing includes MiG-29K fighters, Kamov-31 AEW helicopters, multi-role Seakings, and Chetaks, giving it formidable strike power and reach.

In March 2024, both carriers conducted simultaneous MiG-29K fighter launches, marking a historic display of India’s twin-carrier capability. Together with INS Vikrant, Vikramaditya anchors India’s carrier battle groups, reinforcing its role as a blue-water force.

INS Arihant (S73) is India’s first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) and the most significant asset in the Navy’s arsenal. Commissioned in August 2016, Arihant represents the successful culmination of the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) Project, which gave India the capability to design and build a nuclear submarine indigenously.

Arihant forms the sea-based leg of India’s nuclear triad, ensuring a survivable second-strike capability in the event of nuclear conflict. In 2018, she validated this role by completing her first deterrence patrol, cementing India’s status as a responsible nuclear power with assured retaliatory strength.

INS Arighaat (S3) is the second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) built under India’s Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) Project, following the trailblazing INS Arihant. Commissioned into the Indian Navy on August 29, 2024, Arighaat strengthens India’s quest for a credible sea-based nuclear deterrent.

Similar in design to Arihant, Arighaat is a 6,000-tonne submarine equipped with nuclear propulsion and capable of carrying K-15 Sagarika and future K-4 ballistic missiles. Together with Arihant, she follows the doctrine of Credible Minimum Deterrence under the country’s No First Use policy.

INS Kalvari (S21) is the lead ship of India’s first indigenous Scorpene-class conventional (diesel-electric) attack submarines. She is designed for stealth operations, anti-ship warfare, and intelligence gathering. Equipped with Exocet missiles and torpedoes, Kalvari can operate quietly for extended periods, making her a formidable asset in the Indian Ocean.

The name “Kalvari,” meaning Tiger Shark in Malayalam, revives the legacy of India’s first submarine, commissioned on December 8, 1967. That original INS Kalvari served for 29 years before being decommissioned in 1996, and the Navy commemorates Submarine Day annually on December 8 to honour this milestone.

INS Kolkata (D63) is the lead ship of the Kolkata-class guided-missile destroyers, commissioned in 2014. Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, she is one of the Indian Navy’s most advanced and formidable surface combatants, equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors to counter threats across air, surface, and underwater domains.

In March 2024, INS Kolkata demonstrated her operational versatility with a rescue mission in the Gulf of Aden, where she rescued 21 crew members from the Barbados-flagged MV after a missile/drone strike, showcasing India’s readiness for maritime security and humanitarian operations.

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INS Rana (D52) is a Rajput-class guided-missile destroyer in active service with the Indian Navy. Commissioned in June 1982, she is one of the oldest yet still highly capable destroyers in the fleet.

Rana is equipped with surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and a 76mm gun, making her a versatile platform for offensive and defensive operations at sea. Over her 4-decade-long service, INS Rana has conducted numerous long-range deployments and naval exercises across the globe, strengthening interoperability and diplomatic ties.

INS Shivalik (F47) is the lead ship of her class of stealth, multi-role frigates and the first of its kind to be indigenously designed and built in India under Project 17. Commissioned in 2010, she is also the first Indian Navy ship to feature a CODOG (Combined Diesel or Gas) propulsion system, providing both speed and endurance for long deployments.

Shivalik’s stealth design, advanced weapons, sensors, and integrated combat management system set the standard for India’s modern frigate fleet. Last month, two new generations of stealth warships—INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri—joined the navy as part of the Project 17A successor class, building on the capabilities pioneered by INS Shivalik.

These are just a few examples of the pioneering vessels that form the backbone of India’s naval power. Under the Western Naval Command in Mumbai and the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, the Navy maintains constant readiness across the Indian Ocean, with a fleet of about 150 ships and submarines.

The force continues to evolve, with new commissions like INS Aravali, INS Nilgiri, and INS Udaygiri joining the ranks. As India’s blue-water capabilities expand, the story of its naval power unfolds—bold, dynamic, and ever-strengthening, safeguarding the nation and shaping the future of maritime security.

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