Union defence minister Rajnath Singh said in Kolkata on Sunday that the current situation in the maritime industry presents a golden opportunity for India to bridge the gap between demand and production.
“The demand for all types of vessels is rising. Our navy is expanding and so are the challenges in maritime defence. Many nations such as the UK once expanded their empires with maritime power. But their shipbuilding capacities have decreased in recent years. There is a gap in global shipbuilding capacity. This is a golden opportunity for India,” Singh said in Kolkata.
The defence minister virtually laid the foundation stones for five expansion projects worth around ₹3,500 crore for Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), a Nav Ratna PSU, and Yantra India Ltd. As part of these projects, GRSE signed lease agreements with the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK), for two shipyards on either bank of the Hooghly river, along with a 32-acre riverside facility at Raichak.
“There are many reasons behind the global changes in ship production. One reason is that it takes around five years to build a ship and by the time you complete it the technology used in its various systems and weapons is often outdated,” Singh said.
{{/usCountry}}“There are many reasons behind the global changes in ship production. One reason is that it takes around five years to build a ship and by the time you complete it the technology used in its various systems and weapons is often outdated,” Singh said.
{{/usCountry}}“We have our new generation of engineers and IT experts. We can become a world-class ship designing hub. We can export designs. In production, too, we have our workforce, something other nations are losing. If we modernise our manufacturing capacity, then India will become the world’s biggest maritime hub,” Singh said.
“We can also become a hub of ship repair, maintenance and overhaul in the Indian Ocean region. GRSE should think along these lines. The projects we started today are a step towards the global market,” he said.
“GRSE has built more than 100 ships so far. It has the workforce and experience. Now it will have expanded facilities. You are building a commercial ship for a German company. We have already exported two warships and looking for more orders. We have to improve quality and ensure timely delivery. The world must have faith in our quality,” Singh said.
“The participation of the private sector will increase over time and slowly, all the hurdles will be overcome. I appeal to captains of the private sector to come forward. I assure you there will be no dearth of profit,” he added.
Singh said, “Operation Sindoor showed us what indigenous weapons can do. In the future, too, we will leave no stone unturned to arm our soldiers with indigenous equipment. GRSE will play a crucial role in this.”
Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, who was present at the event, thanked Singh for the major investment in the state.
“This is a historic day for Bengal. The former state government never had the intention of working with the Centre. Bengal suffered as a result, despite having land, human resources, infrastructure, and raw materials. But now the double engine is working at full speed. Bengal only lacked a double engine government,” Adhikari said.