17 January 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1. Atmanirbhar at sea

(Source – Indian Express, Section – The Editorial Page – Page No. – 10)

Topic: GS3 – Internal Security GS2 – International Relations

Context

On January 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officiated a historic triple commissioning of three naval platforms—INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vagsheer—in Mumbai. This unprecedented event reflects India’s burgeoning focus on “atmanirbharta” (self-reliance).

Analysis of the news:

Indigenous Development: Progress and Challenges

• INS Surat, a guided missile destroyer under the P15B project, boasts 75% indigenous content and ranks among the largest and most advanced destroyers globally.
• Yet, the term “indigenisation” warrants scrutiny. While domestic shipbuilding capabilities are improving, critical components like ordnance packages are still sourced internationally.
• For India to genuinely achieve atmanirbharta, accelerated investment in indigenous R&D and manufacturing efficiency is essential.

India’s Global and Regional Naval Standing

• Despite its advancements, India’s navy remains modest compared to global powers.
• The United States leads with unparalleled naval capability, while China follows closely, significantly outpacing India.
• A True Value Rating (TrV) analysis places India seventh globally, far behind the U.S. and China in terms of major naval units and capability metrics.
• Furthermore, India allocates just 17-18% of its defense budget to the navy, compared to higher proportions in the U.S. and China.
• This disparity underscores India’s need for sustained funding and technological innovation.

Indo-Pacific Dynamics: Challenges and Opportunities

• In the Indo-Pacific region, China’s naval dominance remains a challenge for India, which seeks to position itself as a credible maritime power.
• Modi’s 2015 SAGAR initiative—focusing on security and growth in the Indian Ocean region—has introduced a coherent maritime strategy.
• However, for India to counterbalance China’s growing footprint, it must scale up its shipbuilding technology, improve operational efficiency, and develop robust regional partnerships.

Shipbuilding Competence: A Work in Progress

• The record 31-month construction timeline for INS Surat contrasts sharply with China’s rapid shipbuilding capabilities, such as a 4.5-month timeline for a 4000-ton frigate.
• This disparity reflects the gaps in India’s shipbuilding efficiency and technological prowess.
• While achievements like the BrahMos missile demonstrate potential, a more concerted effort in R&D and design proficiency is critical to realizing Modi’s maritime vision.

Conclusion: Aspirations vs. Reality

• India’s aspiration to become a major maritime power is evident in its ambitious naval initiatives.
• However, this vision remains aspirational unless matched by significant investment in indigenous technology, efficiency, and strategic planning.
• As Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and policymakers push for self-reliance, it is imperative to address systemic inefficiencies to ensure the navy’s growth is substantive and sustainable, rather than limited to symbolic milestones.

Significance of the Vessels

Indigenous Construction: All three vessels are Made in India, underscoring India’s growing self-reliance in defense capabilities. Development Timeline: The journey from design to commissioning of these ships spanned 10 to 15 years, reflecting the long-term investment in naval infrastructure. Strategic Importance Enhancing Naval Power: The addition of these platforms strengthens India’s defense capabilities, contributing to the Navy’s force level needed to deter regional threats. Bolstering Maritime Influence: These ships are key to enhancing India’s strategic maritime presence in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond. Dual Military and Economic Significance The commissioning of these vessels holds both military and economic importance, strengthening India’s defense posture and reinforcing its role as a key player in global maritime security.

Practice Question:  India’s recent advancements in naval indigenization reflect significant progress in achieving self-reliance in defense. Critically analyze the challenges India faces in developing a globally competitive naval force and suggest measures to strengthen its maritime capabilities. (250 Words /15 marks)

For more such UPSC related Current Affairs, Check Out: 16 January 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis