The Indian Navy is prepared to enhance its combat capabilities in the next five to six years with a wide range of ships, submarines and choppers set to join its fleet.
The fleet will include two aircraft carriers, one from the Soviet-era and one indigenously built, two fleet tankers, two stealth frigates, three destroyers and an all-weather aircraft such as the MiG-29K.
Two fleet tankers, Deepak and Shakti, and the indigenously designed and built stealth frigate INS Satpura will be commissioned next year, according to the Indo-Asian News Service.
The first Kolkata-class guided missile destroyer, aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya will begin sea trials in 2011.
Indian Navy air capabilities include MiG-29K aircraft, which will be deployed on the Vikramiditya and on the indigenously-built carrier.
Production of the Scorpene submarines has also commenced and the first of the lot is expected to be commissioned in 2015.
The Navy will also receive eight Boeing P8I multi-mission aircraft and has plans to induct 56 helicopters in the next few years to replace the aging fleet of Chetaks.
