Indian Navy advances indigenization and explores Russian missile capabilities

The Indian Navy is accelerating its efforts to indigenize defense technology, with projects worth over Rs 3,500 crore receiving Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) and contracts exceeding Rs 1,900 crore finalized through its innovation ecosystem. Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, noted that more than 4,000 proposals have been submitted via the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework, involving approximately 150 MSMEs and start-ups.

Simultaneously, Russia has proposed a deal that could enhance India's long-range maritime strike capabilities. Moscow is reportedly linking the sale of refurbished Kilo-class submarines to the provision of Kalibr cruise missiles. The offered version of the Kalibr-PL could possess a range exceeding 1,500 kilometers, providing the Indian Navy with expanded precision strike capabilities against land and maritime targets as it seeks to maintain underwater combat strength.