India's anti-submarine warfare fleet makes for a formidable shield

India's silent sentinels beneath and above the waves ensure that the Indian Ocean remains secure, stable, and firmly within the orbit of regional equilibrium

- COMMODORE JOHNSON ODAKKAL (RETD)

In the 21st century, the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has emerged as a theatre of strategic contestations, particularly beneath the waves. At the epicentre, the submarine warfare between giants like India and China is gradually taking place, though still in the developing stage.

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In this race towards technological advancements, the People's Liberation Army (Navy) or PLAN has been making steady advancements, without keeping itself confined to Pacific politics, one of which China is geographically a part of. However, its continual deployments of the modern nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) like Shang-class and ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) like Jin-class in the IOR have been creating areas of concern for New Delhi, considering China's notorious actions displayed with regard to the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea.

Though these two countries have had complex relations with each other, experiencing periods of both conflict and detente, increasing Chinese presence in the IOR means a direct threat not only to the security of India but also to its role as the net security provider in its backyard. Back in 2024, the US government reports estimated the number of submarines in the PLAN to be more than 65 by 2025, which stands true to its prediction with the number being 61 as of July of the year, making it the third largest submarine fleet in the world, equipped with advanced quieting technologies and long-range strike capabilities, posing a direct challenge to India's maritime security.