India to boost naval power amid rising rivalry with China

Analysts believe threat of confrontation in Indian Ocean only set to increase

- Nirmala Ganapathy

The Indian Navy has placed an order for 200 supersonic cruise missiles at a cost of US$2.5 billion (S$3.4 billion) as part of a modernisation drive to counter China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean.

The missiles will be made by BrahMos Aerospace, an India-Russia joint venture.

Also in the pipeline are 50 utility helicopters, two dozen fighter jets and an unspecified number of submarines, with India aiming to increase its 150 warships to 175 by 2027.

A third aircraft carrier, to be domestically built, is in the planning stages.

The dilemma facing New Delhi, among the world's largest arms importers, is whether all these acquisitions are enough deterrence in the Indian Ocean against China, which has the world's largest navy. According to the US Department of Navy, China will have an estimated 440 warships within five years, compared with the United States' 291.

Analysts believe the threat of confrontation in the Indian Ocean will only grow.

"The cutting-edge technology and capabilities on display in China's new destroyers, amphibious warships, conventional submarines and nuclear-attack submarines are quite staggering," said Mr Abhijit Singh, head of the Maritime Policy Initiative at New Delhi-based think-tank Observer Research Foundation.

"For the moment, China appears cautious about its Indian Ocean operations. While gradually expanding presence in the region, the People's Liberation Army Navy has desisted from overtly challenging Indian interests.