Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (November 25, 2025) urged international partners to collaborate with India in developing next-generation maritime capabilities, highlighting the country’s advancing shipbuilding ecosystem.
Delivering the keynote address at Samudra Utkarsh, a seminar organised by the Department of Defence Production in Delhi, he asked global stakeholders to tap into India’s potential in co-building sustainable technologies and resilient supply chains for an innovative, inclusive and secure maritime future.
The Minister said India was ready to help shape the “maritime century” by “building not only ships, but trust; not only platforms, but partnerships.” He highlighted India’s integrated end-to-end shipbuilding ecosystem, where every stage – from concept design and modular construction to outfitting, repairs and full lifecycle support – is indigenously developed and executed. This ecosystem, he noted, is powered by public and private shipyards supported by thousands of MSMEs that form a strong value chain.
Mr. Singh pointed to India’s world-class platforms – such as the first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, Kalvari-class submarines, and a variety of stealth frigates and destroyers – as evidence of the nation’s growing technological maturity, design capability and systems integration expertise. He highlighted India’s rise in the global commercial and dual-use maritime sector, noting the production of high-end passenger vessels, coastal ferries, pollution-control and research ships, and the world’s most advanced deep-sea mining support vessel for ISRO and the National Institute of Ocean Technology.
The Minister commended the private sector for emerging as a force multiplier by building green-fuel vessels, LNG carriers, Ro-Ro ships and energy-efficient commercial platforms for domestic and international clients. This comprehensive capability, he said, positions India to become a major global hub for shipbuilding, ship repair and maritime innovation in the coming decade.
He emphasised that every ship currently under construction for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard is being built in Indian shipyards, reaffirming the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. This growth, he said, is supported by forward-looking reforms, including Maritime India Vision 2030, Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, the Defence Production & Export Promotion Policy, and the Defence Procurement Manual 2025.
Mr. Singh said the Navy now has 262 indigenous design and development projects under progress, with some shipyards nearing 100% indigenous content, ensuring minimal supply-chain disruptions. He expressed confidence that India’s commercial fleet too would soon be fully built domestically, supported by modern fabrication lines, digital shipyard technologies and automated design tools.
Highlighting India’s role in the emerging Blue Economy, he noted that Indian shipyards produce specialised vessels for marine research, ecosystem monitoring, fisheries management and maritime law enforcement. He also emphasised India’s shift toward green and sustainable shipbuilding practices, positioning it as a contributor to climate-resilient maritime growth.
Citing humanitarian missions such as Operation Samudra Setu, Operation Brahma, and INS Vikrant’s medical evacuation from MV Heilan Star, he said these operations demonstrate that Indian-built ships protect maritime borders, save lives and strengthen global maritime stability.
In another event, addressing start-ups, MSMEs, academia, industry partners and venture capitalists at the fourth edition of the Indian Navy’s Swavlamban seminar in Delhi, he stressed the need for India to stay proactive and future-ready in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment. He credited innovators for delivering path-breaking solutions and helping India emerge as a builder, creator and leader, rather than merely a buyer.
Mr. Singh said India is entering a “golden era of defence innovation”, driven by young entrepreneurs and innovators who are combining economic strength, strategic thinking and technological advancement.
Published – November 25, 2025 10:03 pm IST
