Kolkata, Aug 23: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has laid the foundation stones for five major defence manufacturing and shipbuilding projects in West Bengal, describing them as a strategic expansion of India’s defence production capabilities and a major step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Addressing the event, Singh said Yantra India Limited (YIL) is a strong pillar of India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem and expressed confidence that its modern facilities at the Metal and Steel Factory (MSF), Ishapore, would strengthen the critical supply chain for advanced weapons and strategic components.
YIL has invested more than Rs 750 crore in MSF Ishapore to replace legacy systems dating back to 1976 and establish Industry 4.0-capable precision manufacturing facilities, he said.
The Defence Minister also highlighted what he termed the emerging “Capacity Paradox” in global shipbuilding, with demand for naval and commercial vessels increasing while traditional shipbuilding nations face declining capacity.
He said the situation presents a major opportunity for India to emerge as a global shipbuilding and ship-repair hub by leveraging its engineering talent, IT professionals, steel industry and strong MSME ecosystem.
Singh called for greater investment in indigenous ship design, simulation and artificial intelligence, saying India should develop its own ship designs, secure patents and eventually export them globally.
He identified Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) as a major opportunity for India, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region, saying the sector could generate employment while saving foreign exchange.
“If we modernise our manufacturing capacity and adhere to global quality standards, India can emerge as the world’s next major shipbuilding hub,” Singh said.
Among the major projects is Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE)’s Raichak facility, which is being developed with an investment of more than Rs 2,500 crore. The facility will have the capability to construct warships up to 200 metres long and commercial vessels of up to 60,000 deadweight tonnes.
GRSE is also developing the Timber Pond facility in Howrah at an estimated investment of nearly Rs 100 crore, while the Damodar facility at Kidderpore Docks will be developed with an investment of around Rs 70 crore for medium-sized vessel repairs, electric ferries and other small craft.
The two YIL projects at MSF Ishapore include a 3,000-tonne Heavy Duty Hydraulic Open Die Forging Press and a Radial Forging Plant. The facilities will support production of gun barrels, ammunition components, advanced ordnance forgings, railway axles and nuclear reactor components, among other strategic products.
Singh said the expansion of defence manufacturing and shipbuilding would boost economic growth, strengthen domestic industries and MSMEs, reduce foreign exchange outflow and create direct and indirect employment.
He urged GRSE to make full use of its expanded capacity and compete more aggressively in domestic and international markets under the vision of “Make in India, Make for the World.”
“Our mindset should no longer be about what India needs to buy from the world. Instead, it should focus on what the world wants to buy from India,” Singh said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari described the foundation-laying ceremony as a historic moment and said the projects would strengthen GRSE and YIL while contributing to the revival of the state’s industrial sector and creating opportunities for ancillary industries and MSMEs.
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