Geostrategic Importance of Indigenous Shipbuilding in Safeguarding India's Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC)

Geetanjali .; Aparaajita Pandey

Geostrategic Importance of Indigenous Shipbuilding in Safeguarding India's Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC)

Author(s)	Ms. Geetanjali ., Prof. Dr. Aparaajita Pandey
Country	India
Abstract	India’s sea lines of communication (SLOCs) hold immense strategic value, as they function as the primary routes sustaining the country’s economic growth and energy security. More than 95% of India’s trade by volume and nearly 70% by value is transported through maritime routes. This high level of dependence means that any disruption to these channels, whether arising from geopolitical tensions, vulnerabilities at critical maritime chokepoints, or emerging resilience. In recent years, the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has increasingly become an arena of strategic competition. The expanding presence of major powers, particularly China’s growing naval capabilities, has intensified concerns about the security of navigation and the stability of maritime supply chains. Within this context, strengthening indigenous shipbuilding capabilities is a key element of India’s maritime security strategy. Developing a strong domestic shipbuilding sector enhances operational autonomy, supports credible deterrence, and reduces dependence on foreign Defence suppliers. By encouraging domestic design, manufacturing, and integration of naval platforms, India can address the vulnerabilities that come with the broader goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which seeks to promote long-term strategic autonomy and technological self-reliance in an increasingly competitive maritime environment. This dissertation examines the relationship between SLOC protection and the development of indigenous naval capabilities through a structured multi-chapter analysis. The research follows a qualitative and comparative methodology, drawing on peer reviewed academic journals, official strategic doctrines and analytical reports produced by prominent think tanks and institutions such as ORF, IDSA, RAND, and various government publications. The findings indicate that although India has made notable progress in areas such as hull construction and platform integration, important technological gaps remain, particularly in propulsion systems and certain critical subsystems. These limitations continue to restrict India's ability to respond effectively to the strategic asymmetries created by China's rapid naval modernization. Comparative insights from countries such as China, South Korea, and Japan highlight the importance of deeper private-sector participation, the development of modular shipbuilding infrastructure, and the adoption of a clear export-oriented strategy. Based on these findings, the study outlines several policy recommendations. These include accelerating indigenization efforts, modernizing shipyards through public-private partnership models, and strengthening strategic cooperation with key partners such as France, Japan, and the United States. In addition, pursuing a more proactive Defence export strategy could help expand India's regional influence while simultaneously increasing its capacity to act as a net security provider in the region and ensure the protection of supporting domestic industrial growth. Together, these measures would strengthen India's SLOCs and continue to support economic growth and stability across the wider Indo-Pacific.
Keywords	- SLOC security, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Indigenous Shipbuilding, Maritime strategic autonomy, Indian Ocean Region.
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 2, March-April 2026
Published On	2026-04-09

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Geostrategic Importance of Indigenous Shipbuilding in Safeguarding India's Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC)

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