How Many Warships Does India Have? Destroyers, Frigates and More

The Indian Navy is the largest in the Indian Ocean and one of the biggest in the world, with about 140 warships and submarines. It is also expanding faster than ever: it commissioned 14 ships in 2025 and planned 19 more in 2026, the largest increase in a single year in its history. Almost all new ships are now built in Indian yards, including the Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, the Nilgiri-class stealth frigates and the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

This guide covers India’s main surface warships, how many there are and how they compare with China’s fleet.

How many warships does India have?

The Indian Navy is organised into Western, Eastern and Southern commands, based at Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Kochi, and a tri-service command in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands near the Strait of Malacca. Its core surface force is made up of destroyers and frigates armed with BrahMos missiles and Barak-8 air defence missiles, supported by corvettes, patrol vessels and support ships.

Destroyers: Visakhapatnam and Kolkata classes

India’s most powerful surface combatants are its seven modern destroyers of the Kolkata and Visakhapatnam classes, all built at Mazagon Dock in Mumbai. Each displaces about 7,500 tonnes and carries 16 BrahMos anti-ship and land-attack missiles and 32 Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles. The fourth Visakhapatnam-class ship, INS Surat, entered service in January 2025. A next-generation destroyer, larger and with more missile cells, is being designed. BrahMos, the destroyers’ main weapon, is described in our guide to Indian missiles.

Frigates: the Nilgiri class

The Nilgiri class, or Project 17A, is a class of seven stealth frigates built at Mazagon Dock and Garden Reach Shipbuilders in Kolkata. The first, INS Nilgiri, was commissioned in January 2025, followed by others through 2025 and 2026. They are built in modular blocks, which has cut construction time to about six years. India also received the last two Russian-built Talwar-class frigates, INS Tushil and INS Tamal, in 2024 and 2025, the last major warships India plans to buy from abroad.

A navy building at home

The Indian Navy has adopted a firm “build in India” policy, and more than 60 ships are under construction in Indian yards. Its plans include more destroyers and frigates, next-generation corvettes and missile vessels, landing platform docks and support ships. The aim is a fleet of around 200 ships by the mid-2030s. India’s carriers are covered in our guide to Indian aircraft carriers, and its submarines in our guide to Indian submarines.

How does India compare with China?

China has the world’s largest navy, with about 370-395 ships and submarines, and builds new warships far faster than India, as our guide to Chinese warships shows. India’s advantage is geography: the Indian Ocean is its home, while Chinese ships must pass through narrow straits to reach it. Our ranking of the world’s top navies puts both in context.

Frequently asked questions

How many warships does India have?

The Indian Navy has about 140 warships and submarines, and planned to commission 19 more in 2026.

What is India’s most powerful warship?

The aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, followed by the Visakhapatnam-class destroyers armed with BrahMos and Barak-8 missiles.

How many destroyers does India have?

About 12, including seven modern Kolkata- and Visakhapatnam-class ships.

What is the Nilgiri class?

A class of seven Indian-built stealth frigates, the first of which entered service in January 2025.

Does India build its own warships?

Yes. Almost all new Indian warships are built in Indian shipyards such as Mazagon Dock, Garden Reach and Cochin Shipyard.

How does the Indian Navy compare with China’s?

China’s navy is far larger, with about 370-395 ships and submarines, but the Indian Navy has the advantage of operating in its home ocean.