India Entering Golden Era of Defence Innovation: Rajnath Singh

• Raksha Mantri calls on global players to co-develop next-gen maritime capabilities.
• Says India’s shipyards can build everything from aircraft carriers to research vessels.
• Highlights India’s growing role in commercial ships, green vessels and deep-sea technologies.
• Government reforms, digital shipyard tools and indigenous capacity driving rapid expansion.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 25th Nov: Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has called on global industry partners to capitalise on India’s expanding shipbuilding capabilities and work together to develop next-generation maritime technologies. Addressing Samudra Utkarsh, organised by the Department of Defence Production in New Delhi on November 25, he said India is ready to shape the “maritime century” by building advanced platforms and long-term partnerships.

He said India’s integrated shipbuilding ecosystem—from concept design to life-cycle support—has positioned the country as a reliable global hub. Public and private shipyards, supported by thousands of MSMEs, now form a robust value chain in steel, propulsion, sensors, electronics, and combat systems.

The Minister underlined that flagship projects such as INS Vikrant, Kalvari-class submarines, and stealth frigates demonstrate India’s technological depth. He added that shipyards are also delivering high-end commercial vessels, coastal ferries, research ships, LNG carriers, pollution-control vessels and green-fuel ships for domestic and global clients.

Singh said India is capable of delivering platforms ranging from aircraft carriers to advanced research vessels and energy-efficient commercial ships, strengthening its potential to emerge as a global hub for shipbuilding, repair and maritime innovation in the coming decade.

He noted that every ship currently under construction for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard is being built in Indian shipyards, echoing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Reforms such as Maritime India Vision 2030, Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, Defence Production & Export Promotion Policy and Defence Procurement Manual 2025 are accelerating this transformation.

The Raksha Mantri said the Navy has 262 ongoing indigenous design and development projects, with shipyards gradually moving towards 100 percent indigenous content. He expressed confidence that India’s commercial fleet will also be fully built within the country in the near future.

Calling Indian shipyards vital pillars of the country’s emerging Blue Economy, he said they not only build defence platforms but also vessels for scientific exploration, fisheries management, ecosystem monitoring and maritime law enforcement. The sector is also adopting green and sustainable technologies aligned with global standards.

He highlighted India’s role in humanitarian and disaster-relief missions, such as Operation Samudra Setu, Operation Brahma and the recent rescue from MV Heilan Star, noting that Indian-built ships are saving lives and safeguarding maritime stability.

Singh said the increasing number of foreign ships coming to India for complex refits reflects global trust in Indian expertise and competitiveness. India aims to become the preferred repair and sustainment hub for the Indo-Pacific region.

He said the theme of the seminar, “2500 BCE – 2025 CE… Celebrating 4,524 Years of Shipbuilding Excellence,” symbolises India’s long maritime tradition—from Lothal’s ancient docks to today’s modern shipyards.

Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth described Samudra Utkarsh as a showcase of India’s rising maritime capability, powered by modern technologies and expanding national strength. Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar said Indian shipyards have evolved into globally competitive yards with digital tools, automation and professional best practices.

A coffee-table book — Shipyards of Bharat — and two compendiums, including a 10-year AI roadmap for shipyards, were released at the event. Senior military leaders, including the Chief of Defence Staff and the Navy Chief, attended sessions on warship building, submarine refits, unmanned systems, and commercial shipbuilding.