Naval booster

Even as India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant, built by Kerala-based Cochin Shipyard Ltd, is all set to be commissioned, the US Navy has awarded a contract to Larsen & Toubro’s shipyard at Kattupalli (Tamil Nadu) for the maintenance of cargo ship Charles Drew. This is the first time that a US naval ship has docked in India for repairs; the Ministry of Defence has stated that the event ‘signifies the capabilities of Indian shipyards in the global ship-repairing market’. India has six major shipyards with a turnover of around $2 billion. They are gaining international recognition for providing cost-effective and extensive ship repair and maintenance services through the use of advanced maritime technology platforms.

These are good tidings for the Indian ship-building industry as well as the ‘Make in India’ programme in the defence sector. The sharp focus on naval innovation and indigenisation is grounded in geopolitical realities. China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has prompted India to make greater efforts to safeguard its maritime interests. Citing a threat to national security, New Delhi has been quick and firm in raising concerns with Sri Lanka about the scheduled docking of a high-tech Chinese research vessel at the Hambantota port. At the same time, India has been reaching out to IOR countries under Mission SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) to augment their naval prowess and provide aid in the form of food, vaccines and medicines.

The Union Government’s decision to domestically procure seven next-generation corvettes at an estimated collective cost of Rs 36,000 crore underlines the trust being reposed in the country’s ship-building industry. The strategic and economic importance of oceans and coasts make it imperative for the Indian Navy — which had played a significant role in the nation’s triumph in the 1971 war — to not only achieve self-reliance but also leverage its capabilities in the international arena. The worth of India’s defence exports has risen from about Rs 1,500 crore to around Rs 13,000 crore in the past few years. India’s shipyards are poised to become an integral part of this ambitious journey. 

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