Wilson Beaver and Elizabeth Lapporte
In a move that signals India’s growing commitment to strengthen its own security, the country’s Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently approved two new deals that will significantly enhance its defense capabilities.
These deals include the construction of two nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) and the acquisition of 31 Predator drones (MQ-9B) from U.S. defense-contractor General Atomics. Both are smart strategic decisions that underscore India’s willingness to safeguard its interests, strengthen its capacity, and modernize its defense architecture.
New Delhi has an eye on China, of course. As Beijing continues to assert its influence and military presence across the Indian Ocean and beyond, India’s investments in undersea warfare and unmanned aerial systems are timely and necessary. However, the procurement of SSNs and the acquisition of MQ-9Bs are more than just a response to China’s rise. They represent India’s broader ambition to act as a key player in the Indo-Pacific's security architecture.
The Indian Navy, already operating nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, has long advocated for the additional procurement of nuclear-powered attack submarines. This project, which is estimated to cost an initial $5.4 billion, will make the Indian Navy far more capable of defending its interests in the Indian Ocean.
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