Indigenous warships and weapons amplify India’s maritime superiority in Arabian Sea

Following the brutal terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which Pakistan-sponsored terrorists targeted Indian tourists, the Indian Armed Forces launched a swift and coordinated tri-service response. At the heart of this was a bold and highly effective maritime posture led by the Indian Navy, which rapidly established dominance in the northern Arabian Sea—powered significantly by indigenously built warships and homegrown weapon systems.

Within hours of the attack, the Indian Navy mobilised a 36-ship armada, including the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, BrahMos-equipped destroyers, stealth frigates, and advanced submarines. These platforms, built under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, allowed for immediate force projection near Karachi, compelling the Pakistan Navy into a defensive stance.

Vice Admiral AN Pramod, Director General of Naval Operations (DGNO), said in a press briefing: “In the aftermath of the cowardly attacks on innocent tourists at Pahalgam, the Indian Navy’s Carrier Battle Group, surface forces, submarines, and aviation assets were immediately deployed at sea with full combat readiness.”

He further noted that within 96 hours, the Navy had conducted multiple live weapon firings and tactical drills in the Arabian Sea, demonstrating both combat readiness and strategic intent. This rapid deployment was part of Operation Sindoor, a tri-service plan involving close coordination with the Indian Army and Air Force to ensure joint force posture and operational superiority.

India’s maritime edge was sharply defined by its indigenously built platforms. Warships from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) formed the backbone of this deployment. Notable platforms included INS Visakhapatnam, INS Chennai, INS Kiltan, and Kalvari-class submarines—all equipped with modern combat systems designed and manufactured in India.

In addition to the platforms, indigenous weaponry significantly enhanced India’s strike capability. Systems such as the BrahMos cruise missile, Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, Astra air-to-air missiles, and advanced sensors developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) gave India full-spectrum maritime dominance.

“Our forces remained forward deployed in the Northern Arabian Sea in a decisive and deterrent posture with full readiness and capacity to strike select targets at sea and on land, including Karachi, at a time of our choosing,” said Vice Admiral Pramod.

India’s posture had a decisive impact on the Pakistan Navy, which remains heavily dependent on legacy systems and foreign suppliers. With no aircraft carriers, guided-missile destroyers, or modern submarine force of scale, Pakistan’s naval assets stayed close to shore or remained inside harbours, issuing NAVAREA warnings in anticipation of a potential Indian strike.

Pakistan’s limited naval capability—largely coastal in nature and lacking credible power projection—was unable to challenge the Indian Navy’s forward-deployed battle group. The contrast in readiness and integration was stark: India’s homegrown platforms operated as part of a cohesive, modern force, while Pakistan struggled to align new acquisitions with aging infrastructure.

This episode marks a significant milestone for India’s defence manufacturing sector. Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, Indian defence shipyards and private players have delivered cutting-edge platforms and systems that now form the frontline of national security. The successful operationalisation of these assets in real-world conflict readiness has validated years of domestic investment in naval modernisation.

The Indian Navy’s post-Pahalgam operations sent an unmistakable message: India not only has the political will but also the indigenous defence capability to shape the regional security environment. The seamless fusion of strategy, technology, and homegrown strength ensured that escalation was contained on Indian terms—and exposed Pakistan’s fundamental lack of maritime deterrence.