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India is enhancing its naval capabilities as Chinese military presence increases in the Indian Ocean. Since 2023, around 11 Chinese military ships have been spotted in the region each month. In response, the Indian government has approved the construction of two nuclear-powered attack submarines. This move aims to provide better defense since aircraft carriers are more vulnerable to long-range Chinese missiles.

The Indian Navy will receive a second Akula-class nuclear attack submarine on lease from Russia. With a significant Chinese naval presence, including surveillance ships and ballistic missile trackers, India recognizes the need for sub-surface deterrence. Currently, the Chinese surveillance ship Xiang Yang Hong 3 is near Chennai, and the Yuan Wang 7 ballistic missile tracker is off the coast of Mauritius. An average of seven to eight Chinese warships and three to four quasi-military vessels are regularly seen in the Indian Ocean, and this number is expected to grow.

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India strengthens Naval power against China

India already has two nuclear ballistic missile submarines patrolling the Indo-Pacific. The third, INS Aridhaman, is set to be commissioned next year. The first submarine, INS Arihant, can carry K-15 missiles with a range of 750 kilometers, while the newer submarines can carry both K-15 and K-4 missiles with a range of 3,500 kilometers. The Indian Navy is pushing for the Akula lease to be completed by late 2027, despite delays caused by the ongoing war in Ukraine.

This shift in focus shows that Indian security planners now see China as the primary threat, rather than Pakistan. Tensions between India and China escalated in eastern Ladakh in May 2020, prompting India to prepare for maritime defense options. Alongside building nuclear submarines, India is also investing in three more advanced Kalvari-class submarines to counter regional threats and enhance its submarine export capabilities with France.

Overall, India's future naval strategy emphasizes nuclear options to effectively address challenges from China and its proxies in the Indo-Pacific region.