India: Shipbuilding firms urged to modernise, minimise imports

The government called on the Indian industry to give their best in developing the country’s shipbuilding programmes. Commissioning INS Shivalik, the first of three new stealth frigates for the Indian Navy in Mumbai, defence minister AK Antony said over the years there has been a distinct shift in our policy from a buyer’s Navy to a builder Navy.
The shipbuilding industry has to modernise itself through indigenous efforts and minimise its dependence on imports, he added. “We must continue our efforts to transform and modernise our shipyards so that not only domestic demands are met but also the latest international standards in quality.” Urging the industry to be able to produce quality ships in a shorter time frame at competitive costs, the minister asked the participants of India Inc to give their best in developing shipbuilding programmes. Antony said the security situation in and around our immediate neighbourhood poses several security challenges. He reiterated that the country maintains high-level operational readiness at all times.
Antony said, “India’s long coastline and ever-expanding exclusive economic zone make it imperative to defend our main land as well as maintain the sea lanes of communication.” The cost of building each Shivalik class frigate will be close to Rs 2,800 crore. The construction of the ship has been done under massive modernisation that the Indian Navy is undertaking to increase its fleet strength. Companies like Hindustan Aeronautics ltd, DRDO, Godrej, L&T, BEL Ghaziabad, Banagalore, have all contributed in the making of the frigate.
The new advanced stealth warships will include seven frigates under Project-17A and four guided-missile destroyers under Project-15B, which in all will cost upwards of Rs 65,000 crore. The Navy, in fact, wants to induct all these seven advanced frigates by 2020 for a greater blue-water warfare punch. With the government according acceptance of necessity in June 2009, the seven frigates will be built at Mazagon Docks in Mumbai and GRSE in Kolkata with integrated construction technology.
Underlining that piracy is fast becoming a menace in the high seas of the region, the minister pointed out that the Indian Navy must be prepared to take on the challenge with full force in order to protect commercial interests. “The Indian Navy will have to perform its duty to protect our coasts. India’s foreign trade is expanding substantially every year. It will have to look after ways and means to protect commercial interests also,” he said. He noted that with the changing scenario and increasing challenges, the modernisation of the naval force is also very important, and observed that the government is aware of its responsibilities in this regard.
“It is our duty to give all our support to the Indian Navy to strengthen maritime security. We will acquire more destroyers and frigates for the Indian Navy. With all these modern equipment and other support, the Navy would not only be able to protect our sea lanes but also others if it is necessary for India’s national interest,” he said. INS Shivalik is country’s first indigenously built largest stealth frigate in the world with more than 60% components being indigenous, which is a great achievement in itself. “The importance of this ship is that it is the first Indian made ship of its kind, having more than 60% of indigenous components,” he said.