Indian Navy wants nuclear subs in the Indo-Pacific to counter China

The Indian Navy has requested that the Modi government build another aircraft carrier, three nuclear-powered submarines, and six diesel-electric conventional submarines to beef up its strength in order to face the PLA challenge, as it is anticipated that the Chinese Navy will increase its footprint in the Indian Ocean through logistics support bases from the Straits of Malacca to Gulf of Aden. All of the building will be carried out in Indian shipyards and in accordance with PM Modi's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" vision.

Beijing has turnaround logistics bases in Ream, Cambodia, close to the Straits of Malacca, a listening post at Coco Islands in the Bay of Bengal, a base in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, a base in Gwadar, Balochistan, a naval base in Jask, Iran, and a full-fledged berthing facility at Djibouti, which is located on the mouth of the Red Sea and entry into the Mediterranean Sea.

The Indian Navy does not want holes in its capabilities and does not want to lose machine tooling capabilities due to a shortage of contracts to shipyards like Kochi and Mazagon, according to the forecast that a Chinese carrier strike force might be patrolling high seas in the Indian Ocean as early as 2025–2026. 

Indian intelligence indicates that Chinese aircraft carriers (Liaoning and Shandong) are capable of 24/7 fighter operations and that the PLA Navy is in the process of training naval fighter pilots. This is in contrast to attempts by Western media to downplay the capabilities of China's strike force. The 80,000 ton, electro-magnetic catapult-equipped Fujian carrier, which is currently under construction, will be able to threaten the US Navy's power in the Indo-Pacific by the time it is ready for sea trials the following year.

While Paris is prepared to offer support and assist New Delhi in designing and building 5000 tons SSNs, similar to Suffren class, indigenously in India, India is in discussions with France to build an additional three Kalveri class submarines in Mazagon dockyards in Mumbai. These submarines will be equipped with air-independent propulsion for longer endurance. Additionally, if the Modi administration decides to scrap Project 75 I, the French Naval company is prepared to co-design and construct Project 76 submarines, as the three extra Kalveri class submarines will feature DRDO designed and validated AIP. In Project 75 I, six diesel-electric submarines with AIP were planned.