India to commission 18 warships in 2026, marking its biggest yearly fleet expansion

At the Navy's Commanders’ Conference, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India will induct 18 warships in 2026, the biggest yearly increase ever for the service. The batch comprises modern stealth frigates and specialised support ships, all constructed at Indian shipyards with more than 75% local content. Singh linked the expansion to the goal of a 200-plus-ship navy by 2035 and stressed the need to export these vessels to friendly nations.

He called for a major upgrade of maritime surveillance systems to cope with growing and complex traffic in the Indian Ocean and beyond. The minister also cited recent deployments in the South China Sea, Mediterranean and Atlantic as evidence of the navy's blue-water capability. The three-day conference runs from Sept 29 to Oct 01, 2026.