Anchored in Strength: India’s shipbuilding industry rises

India reached a significant milestone in its indigenous shipbuilding journey last week when Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) achieved a rare feat: delivering two frontline combatants to the Indian Navy on the same day. The ships—INS Surat, the last of the Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, and INS Nilgiri, the first Type 17A stealth frigates—mark a turning point in India’s warship-building trajectory. Adding to this momentum, MDL is poised to deliver INS Vagsheer, the last of six Kalvari-class submarines, in the near future. Such achievements highlight a broader narrative: India’s warship-building industry has matured into a world-class enterprise.
India reached a significant milestone in its indigenous shipbuilding journey last week when Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) achieved a rare feat: delivering two frontline combatants to the Indian Navy on the same day. The ships—INS Surat, the last of the Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, and INS Nilgiri, the first Type 17A stealth frigates—mark a turning point in India’s warship-building trajectory. Adding to this momentum, MDL is poised to deliver INS Vagsheer, the last of six Kalvari-class submarines, in the near future. Such achievements highlight a broader narrative: India’s warship-building industry has matured into a world-class enterprise.
Tracing the Journey of Indian Warship Construction
India’s indigenous warship-building efforts began modestly in 1961 with the commissioning of INS Ajay, an anti-submarine warfare patrol boat built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. The first major leap came a decade later with the Nilgiri-class frigates—license-built British Leander-class vessels. These ships, constructed between 1972 and 1981, averaged one delivery every 18 months, laying the groundwork for larger, more complex projects.
A significant step forward came with the Delhi-class destroyers in the 1990s. These 6,700-ton vessels were the largest and most sophisticated warships indigenously designed and built in India at the time. Featuring advanced radar, sonar, and weapons systems, they represented a shift towards self-reliance. However, challenges remained: MDL delivered just three Delhi-class destroyers over four years, and many systems were fully operational only after the ships were commissioned.
Today, Indian shipyards are achieving far more in less time. Over the past decade, MDL alone has delivered seven Kolkata/Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, six Kalvari-class submarines, and one Nilgiri-class frigate. These platforms are combat-ready upon delivery, a marked improvement from earlier decades when ships underwent post-commissioning refinements.
Public Sector Shipyards: A Collaborative Success
MDL is not the only shipyard driving this transformation. Other Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) shipyards have significantly enhanced their capabilities:
– GRSE is building three Type 17A stealth frigates, two Survey Ships (Large) in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro (L&T), and eight ASW Shallow Water Craft.
– Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) is constructing two Diving Support Ships and five Fleet Support Ships with L&T.
– Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) is completing the last of two advanced Talwar-class frigates.
– Cochin Shipyard is building eight ASW Shallow Water Craft and has secured a contract for six Next-Generation Missile Vessels.
These accomplishments highlight the maturation of India’s warship-building ecosystem, supported by improved project management, technological integration, and skilled manpower.
The Strategic and Economic Significance
Warship construction is not merely a military endeavor; it is a reflection of a nation’s industrial and technological capabilities. The ability to design and build sophisticated platforms involves advanced metallurgy, propulsion systems, radar, sonar, weaponry, and electronic warfare technologies. It also requires a highly skilled workforce, from engineers to technicians, showcasing a country’s progress in education and technical training.
India’s shipbuilding sector, however, lags behind global leaders like China. Beijing produces around 20 warships annually, benefiting from a robust commercial shipbuilding industry. This dual-use capability has allowed China to build warships at an unprecedented pace. In contrast, India’s commercial shipbuilding industry received limited attention for decades, depriving its warship-building efforts of an ancillary industrial ecosystem.
Despite these challenges, India has made remarkable strides. The Indian Navy’s proactive support for indigenous shipbuilding has played a pivotal role in this transformation. By committing to locally built platforms, the Navy has fostered an ecosystem that encourages innovation and self-reliance.
Policy Support and Future Prospects
Recent policy measures have further bolstered the sector. In September, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) proposed a ₹25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund to enhance shipbuilding capabilities. This initiative is expected to have a cascading impact, benefiting commercial and warship-building sectors alike.
Such measures align with India’s broader goals of achieving strategic autonomy. A country capable of building its warships can reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, assert its sovereignty, and better navigate geopolitical challenges. The rapid turnaround in Indian shipyards also contrasts sharply with the struggles faced by American and European shipbuilders, which grapple with delays and cost overruns.
From Atmanirbharta to Global Influence
The Indian Navy’s support for indigenous shipbuilding has transformed the vision of Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) from a slogan into a tangible reality. Platforms like INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vagsheer are not just assets for national defence; they are symbols of India’s technological progress and strategic ambition. These successes could serve as a catalyst for the broader maritime industry, with the potential to position India as a global hub for shipbuilding.
India’s warship-building journey has been one of perseverance and evolution. From humble beginnings to delivering world-class combatants at reduced intervals, the sector has come of age. With continued government backing, technological advancements, and skilled manpower, India is poised to emerge as a maritime power capable of shaping the Indo-Pacific’s security architecture.
The author of this article is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach him at: [email protected]
(Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author’s own and do not reflect those of DNA)