Rajnath Singh: India Set to Become Global Shipbuilding Powerhouse
Singh highlighted that many MSMEs are contributing across key domains
Rajnath Singh: India Set to Become Global Shipbuilding Powerhouse
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made a strong pitch for India for global recognition as a shipbuilding centre and also as a repair and maritime innovation hub. He addressed the Samudra Utkarsh seminar organised by the Department of Defence Production and said that what distinguishes India is its “integrated end-to-end shipbuilding ”ecosystem”—from concept design and modular construction to outfitting, refit, repairs, and full life-cycle support.
Singh highlighted that many MSMEs are contributing across key domains: steel, propulsion, electronics, sensors, and advanced combat systems for the development of Indian shipyards, both public and private. He added that these efforts are not only about building platforms but also about building trust and long-term partnerships: “building not only ships but also trust; not only platforms but also partnerships.”
Singh emphasised India’s industrial maturity and pointed to successful platforms like INS Vikrant, the Kalvari-class submarines, and stealth frigates and destroyers. According to him, India is capable of producing a wide spectrum of vessels — from aircraft carriers and research ships to energy-efficient commercial ships — highlighting its readiness to lead in global shipbuilding.
In terms of policy measures, he credited reforms such as Maritime India Vision 2030, Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, the Defence Production & Export Promotion Policy, and the Defence Procurement Manual 2025 for contributing to this transformation. He revealed that the Indian Navy has 262 indigenous design and development projects at advanced stages, and ambitiously, some shipyards are on track to achieve 100% indigenous content within this decade—reducing potential supply-chain disruptions.
Singh also highlighted the role of shipyards on both coasts, which now boast modern fabrication lines, automated design tools, model testing facilities, and digital shipyard technologies that are at par with international benchmarks. Beyond defence, India is building specialised vessels for marine research, ecological monitoring, fisheries protection, and maritime law enforcement.
He noted a rising trend and highlighted that foreign ships are increasingly coming to Indian yards for complex refits—a sign that India’s repair capabilities are gaining global trust. According to Singh, this marks India’s growing global appeal as the “preferred sustainment and repair hub for the entire Indo-Pacific region.”
In Singh’s vision, India is not just building ships — it is building a maritime future that is anchored in self-reliance, innovation, and global collaboration.