Navy chief calls for self-reliant force capable of fighting, sustaining and adapting without external dependencies
By Aroonim Bhuyan
New Delhi. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan has called for making self-reliance a strategic necessity for India’s maritime security, emphasising that the Indian Navy must develop the indigenous capabilities to fight, sustain prolonged operations and adapt to changing threats without being constrained by external dependencies.
Addressing the Delhi Defence Dialogue 2026, organised by the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) in New Delhi on November 3, the Navy Chief underlined the need for a technologically advanced and operationally resilient naval force capable of meeting India’s 21st-century national security requirements.
Speaking on the theme ‘Aatmanirbharta in Naval Systems at 2047’ (Self-reliance in Naval Systems at 2047), Admiral Swaminathan argued that India’s pursuit of self-reliance should not be interpreted as an attempt to isolate itself from international defence cooperation. Rather, he said, a stronger indigenous industrial and technological foundation would enable India to collaborate with friendly foreign countries from a position of strength rather than weakness.
His address highlighted the growing importance of indigenous defence manufacturing, research and development (R&D), emerging technologies and resilient supply chains in ensuring the Navy’s long-term operational effectiveness.
The Navy Chief’s remarks assumed particular significance against the backdrop of an increasingly volatile international security environment, in which geopolitical tensions, regional conflicts and disruptions to global supply chains are reshaping military preparedness and the character of warfare.
Admiral Swaminathan observed that growing political tensions across the world had reignited historical fault lines, with the use of military force increasingly becoming an acceptable and, in some cases, preferred instrument of national policy. This changing security environment, he suggested, made it imperative for India to strengthen its indigenous defence capabilities and reduce vulnerabilities arising from dependence on external suppliers.
Self-reliance as a strategic necessity, not isolation
A central argument of Admiral Swaminathan’s address was that ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) should be understood as a strategic necessity rather than merely an economic or industrial policy objective.
He stressed that India should not pursue self-reliance by withdrawing from international partnerships. Instead, the development of domestic technological and manufacturing capabilities would enable the country to engage with friendly nations on more equitable terms.
His call for cooperation with foreign partners “from a position of strength, and not from a position of weakness” reflected the need to move beyond excessive dependence on overseas suppliers for critical naval equipment, technologies and components.
This approach is particularly relevant for a country such as India, whose maritime security interests extend across the Indian Ocean Region and the wider Indo-Pacific. Sustained naval operations require not only advanced warships, submarines and aircraft but also assured access to spare parts, maintenance facilities, ammunition, propulsion systems, sensors and other critical components.
Dependence on external suppliers can become a significant operational vulnerability during a conflict, particularly when geopolitical tensions, export restrictions or disruptions to international supply chains affect the availability of essential equipment.
The Navy Chief’s argument was that an increasingly self-reliant naval industrial ecosystem would provide India with greater freedom of action and reduce the possibility of its operational capabilities being constrained by decisions taken outside the country.
Lessons from Ukraine and changing character of warfare
Admiral Swaminathan also drew attention to the lessons emerging from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, particularly the manner in which prolonged warfare can affect supply chains, military sustainability and operational capabilities.
The conflict has demonstrated that possessing advanced weapon systems alone does not guarantee military superiority. The ability to maintain operational tempo, replenish ammunition, repair damaged equipment and sustain military formations over an extended period is equally important.
For the Indian Navy, these lessons have implications extending beyond conventional warship construction. They underline the importance of indigenous manufacturing capacity, dependable maintenance and repair infrastructure, domestic production of critical components and the ability to rapidly replenish essential naval supplies.
The Navy’s ability to sustain prolonged deployments across distant maritime theatres would depend significantly on the availability of indigenous logistical and industrial support.
This is particularly important given India’s expanding maritime responsibilities, including the protection of sea lines of communication, safeguarding commercial shipping, responding to maritime emergencies and maintaining a sustained presence in strategically important waters.
The emphasis on self-sufficiency in sustaining operations therefore represents an effort to ensure that the Navy’s operational readiness is not compromised by external supply-chain vulnerabilities.
Democratisation of technology and emerging threats
Another important aspect of the Navy Chief’s address was his assessment of the democratisation of technology and its implications for national security.
He observed that technological capabilities were increasingly becoming accessible to both state and non-state actors, pointing out that technology was available to both “good boys” and “bad boys”.
The observation highlights a significant change in the contemporary security environment. Technologies that were once largely restricted to major military powers are increasingly becoming accessible to smaller countries, non-state groups and other hostile actors.
The proliferation of relatively inexpensive drones, autonomous systems, electronic warfare equipment and commercially available technological solutions has expanded the range of threats confronting conventional military forces.
For naval forces, this presents a particularly complex challenge. Unmanned aerial and underwater systems, low-cost surveillance platforms, electronic interference and increasingly sophisticated asymmetric capabilities can potentially threaten even technologically advanced naval assets.
The challenge is not simply to acquire more sophisticated platforms but to develop the ability to detect, identify, track and neutralise emerging threats through an integrated technological and operational framework.
Admiral Swaminathan’s remarks therefore point towards the need for the Indian Navy to invest in niche and emerging technologies while ensuring that its personnel and operational doctrines keep pace with the changing character of maritime warfare.
Greater investment in R&D and bridging the innovation gap
The Navy Chief placed particular emphasis on addressing critical capability gaps through greater investment in research and development.
He called for increased attention to niche and emerging technologies, stressing that innovations must be translated into operational capabilities within a reasonable timeframe.
His observation that the transition from innovation to operational capability needs to take place without unnecessary delays addresses one of the important challenges confronting India’s defence technology ecosystem.
India has made progress in indigenous warship construction, submarines, naval sensors, weapons and other defence systems. However, developing a technology and successfully integrating it into an operational military platform are two different challenges.
The process involves research, design, prototyping, testing, certification, production and eventual induction into the armed forces. Delays at any of these stages can affect operational modernisation and increase dependence on imported alternatives.
The Navy Chief’s emphasis on faster innovation-to-induction timelines suggests the need for closer coordination between the Navy, defence research organisations, public sector shipyards, private manufacturers, start-ups and academic institutions.
It also underlines the importance of identifying technologies that can address specific operational requirements rather than pursuing innovation without a clear pathway towards military deployment.
For a Navy operating across an increasingly complex maritime environment, the ability to rapidly absorb new technologies could become an important determinant of operational effectiveness.
India’s maritime geography and strategic vulnerabilities
Admiral Swaminathan also addressed India’s maritime security concerns, referring specifically to the strategic importance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
He said the Navy was conscious of the capabilities of potential adversaries and was undertaking measures to strengthen its overall capability matrix.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands occupy a strategically important position near the western approaches to the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes and a critical passage connecting the Indian Ocean with the South China Sea and the wider Pacific.
The archipelago provides India with an important geographical advantage in monitoring maritime activity around the eastern Indian Ocean and the approaches to Southeast Asia.
Similarly, Lakshadweep and its surrounding waters are important for India’s maritime surveillance and security interests in the Arabian Sea.
The Navy Chief’s reference to these island territories reflects the importance of maintaining maritime awareness and operational preparedness across India’s extensive maritime neighbourhood.
Responding to a question on the Strait of Malacca, he observed that developments along this critical sea lane had direct implications for India and said the Navy maintained a close watch over the region.
The Strait is particularly important because a substantial volume of India’s trade and energy shipments moves through the wider Indian Ocean maritime network. Any disruption to shipping through the region could have consequences for India’s commercial, economic and energy security.
His remarks also highlight the importance of the Indian Navy’s surveillance, deployment and maritime domain awareness capabilities in strategically sensitive waters.
Collaboration with friendly countries from a position of strength
While advocating greater indigenous capabilities, Admiral Swaminathan made it clear that self-reliance should not come at the expense of international defence cooperation.
His emphasis on partnerships from a position of strength suggests a shift in the nature of India’s defence engagement with foreign countries.
Traditionally, India’s defence cooperation with several international partners has involved procurement of equipment, licensed manufacturing and technology transfer. However, the development of increasingly complex naval systems requires deeper technological collaboration.
Co-development, joint research, collaborative manufacturing and access to critical technologies can help India strengthen its domestic industrial capabilities while benefiting from the technological expertise of established defence manufacturers.
Such partnerships could be particularly relevant in areas such as advanced propulsion systems, underwater technologies, naval aviation, sensors, communication systems, electronic warfare and autonomous platforms.
The objective would be to ensure that international collaborations complement India’s indigenous development programmes rather than perpetuate long-term dependence on imported technologies.
This approach is also consistent with the broader objectives of the Delhi Defence Dialogue 2026, whose discussions focused on defence reforms, ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance), international collaborations and exports.
The two-day event, organised by MP-IDSA on November 3-4, brought together policymakers, military representatives, industry leaders, academics and strategic experts to examine the structural and technological requirements of India’s defence modernisation.
Building a technologically capable Navy by 2047
The larger significance of Admiral Swaminathan’s address lies in its connection with India’s ambition to become a developed and technologically advanced nation by 2047, marking 100 years of independence.
The Navy’s requirements by that time will extend well beyond the construction of indigenous warships and submarines. They will encompass the development of a comprehensive domestic ecosystem capable of designing, manufacturing, upgrading and sustaining sophisticated naval platforms and their associated technologies.
This would require a stronger indigenous industrial base, sustained investment in defence R&D, greater private-sector participation and closer collaboration between the armed forces and the country’s scientific and technological institutions.
The development of advanced propulsion systems, underwater surveillance capabilities, autonomous platforms, artificial intelligence-enabled maritime surveillance and sophisticated communication and electronic warfare systems will be important components of this transformation.
Equally important will be the ability to manufacture critical components domestically and maintain operational readiness without being vulnerable to external supply disruptions.
The Navy’s transition towards greater self-reliance would also have implications for India’s defence exports. Indigenous naval platforms, equipment and technologies could create opportunities for Indian shipyards and defence manufacturers to expand their presence in international markets.
A broader message for India’s defence establishment
Admiral Swaminathan’s address conveyed a broader message that India’s military modernisation and its pursuit of technological self-reliance must progress together.
The changing nature of warfare, the growing accessibility of advanced technologies to non-state actors, the vulnerability of international supply chains and the increasing complexity of maritime security challenges make indigenous capabilities an important component of national security.
His emphasis on research, emerging technologies and faster conversion of innovation into operational capabilities also highlights the need for a more integrated defence ecosystem in which the armed forces, research institutions and industry work towards clearly identified operational requirements.
Ultimately, the objective is to develop a Navy that is not only capable of deploying advanced platforms but can also independently sustain, maintain, upgrade and adapt them throughout their operational life.
The Navy Chief’s message at the Delhi Defence Dialogue was therefore clear: India’s maritime strength by 2047 will depend not merely on the number of warships it builds, but also on its ability to develop the technologies, industrial capabilities and supply-chain resilience required to operate and sustain them independently.
