To counter China, India will add US$5 billion aircraft carrier to its navy fleet

An enlarged fleet also gives India the ability to exert influence in the seas by being present at many faraway places continuously, the people said.

Representatives for the ministry of defence and Indian Navy declined to comment.

Asia has 5 of the world’s top 7 most powerful navies. Singapore ranks No 24

The Indian Ocean is already heavily militarised with as many as 125 naval vessels, including those from the US, France and Japan, roaming its waters any given time, roughly three times the number of vessels deployed in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks when the Washington invaded Kabul.

The waters off India haven’t seen such intense competition since World War II as both China and the US and its allies deploy more warships in the area. That’s forcing the South Asian nation to also raise its game.

02:24

India launches its first home-grown aircraft carrier

India plans to have 160 warships by 2030 and 175 by 2035 at an estimated cost of 2 trillion rupees, according to people familiar. More than 60 vessels of the Indian Navy are currently at various stages of construction, they added.

The country is carrying out more warship patrols than ever before, amid growing concerns over China’s rising naval prowess.

India has also upgraded the runway facilities at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands allowing the aircraft to land at night, the people said. That’s a bid to keep a tighter watch over the narrow water straits of Malacca, Sunda and Lombok in the southern Indian Ocean.

The island chain is used by India and its partners for maritime surveillance.

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Индия Военные Действия

доллар авианосец Расширенный флот млрд влияние море возможность