Reference News Network, November 13 report: The U.S. Forbes magazine website published an article titled "India's Navy Adds a New Ship Every 40 Days" on November 11, authored by Vikram Mittal. The summary of the article is as follows:

The evolution of modern warfare and the rapid development of commercial technology are driving many countries to invest heavily in military modernization. India is accelerating its military buildup, with the modernization of its navy fleet being a key focus. Recently, Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, Chief of the Indian Navy, announced at the Indian Defense Conference that a new indigenous warship or submarine is formally commissioned into the Indian Navy every 40 days. India plans to have more than 200 warships and submarines by 2035, aiming to reshape the balance of power in the Indian Ocean region.

India has a coastline of 7,500 kilometers, located in the core area of the Indian Ocean, controlling important trade routes, and maritime security is crucial for it. 95% of India's trade volume and 70% of its trade value are transported by sea, with its ports connecting energy supply countries in the Middle East with markets in East Asia. Therefore, ensuring the smooth operation of these maritime routes is key to India's sustained economic growth.

Historically, the Indian Navy mainly relied on ships and technology imported from the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom. This model not only slowed down the modernization process but also brought maintenance challenges. At the beginning of the 21st century, the Indian fleet still centered around the old "Vikrant" aircraft carrier, which was originally commissioned in the Royal Navy in 1959. The submarine fleet mainly consisted of diesel-electric submarines designed by the Soviet Union.

India started to push for naval modernization since the early 21st century. After the introduction of the "Make in India" policy in 2014, this process gained significant momentum, with defense manufacturing becoming a key area for domestic economic growth. One of the important milestones in this modernization process was the formal commissioning of India's first domestically built aircraft carrier, "Vikrant," in 2022. Now, the Indian Navy can add a new ship every 40 days, with the goal of operating more than 200 warships and submarines by 2035. The construction of relevant ships is already underway, and Indian shipyards are currently building 52 platforms, including next-generation destroyers, stealth frigates, light frigates, and submarines.

Localization of production is the core of India's current transformation. In addition to the "Make in India" policy, this effort aligns with the "Self-Reliant India" initiative launched in 2020, aimed at building a strong defense industry base. These ships are all built in Indian shipyards, with the steel used coming from local steel mills. Propulsion systems, sensors, and missile platforms are designed by Indian companies, while software and combat management systems are developed by domestic companies. Emphasis on locally produced components has reduced India's reliance on foreign suppliers and enhanced its long-term capability to maintain and upgrade its fleet.

The modernization of the Indian Navy has endowed it with new capabilities, shifting its maritime strategic capabilities from coastal defense to full-scale power projection across the Indian Ocean. The latest surface combat ships, such as the P-15B "Visakhapatnam"-class stealth destroyers, are equipped with advanced weapons, including the indigenous "Brahmos" cruise missiles. India has recently announced a long-term plan to develop and build a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, complementing the "Vikrant." At the same time, the submarine fleet is also being upgraded, with plans to add about six nuclear-powered attack submarines to strengthen the power of the two newly commissioned nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.

This will enable the Indian Navy to maintain a regular presence in the "Indo-Pacific" region, conducting various tasks from aircraft carrier strike operations to undersea warfare. (Translated by Yang Ke)

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7571835948313428506/

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