India's navy on Wednesday simultaneously launched a submarine, a destroyer and a frigate built at a state-run shipyard, underscoring the importance of protecting the Indian Ocean region through which 95% of the country's trade moves amid a strong Chinese presence.

India's navy launched a submarine, a destroyer and a frigate simultaneously on Wednesday to counter China's expansion into the Indian Ocean.

Bedi said the INS Vagsheer submarine, the sixth among a French licence-built Kalvari (Scorpene)-class conventional diesel-electric submarines, is aimed at replacing ageing Indian

The launch underscores the importance of the Indian Ocean region, through which 95% of the country's trade moves.

The P75 Scorpene submarine project represents India’s growing expertise in submarine construction in collaboration with the Naval Group of France, Mr Bedi said. India’s defenc