The Indian Navy is set to hold a significant shipbuilding seminar titled “Nation Building Through Shipbuilding” at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. This event is particularly noteworthy as it commemorates the delivery of the Navy’s 100th indigenously designed warship.
Organized by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB), the seminar underscores a critical milestone in India’s defense manufacturing journey. The WDB, the Navy’s premier design organization operating under the Naval Headquarters, has been instrumental in the design of all 100 indigenous warships, underscoring India’s commitment to achieving self-reliance in naval capabilities.
The 100th ship, designated as Yard 12652 (Udaygiri), is the second vessel in the advanced Project 17A stealth frigate series. Constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL), its delivery represents a significant accomplishment in India’s decades-long indigenous warship design program, which began with the establishment of the Central Design Office in 1964.
The seminar will gather various stakeholders, including representatives from the Government of India, the Indian Navy, shipyards, defense industries, classification societies, and academic institutions. The agenda will cover critical topics, including strategic policy issues, advancements in global shipbuilding technologies, and the challenges confronting Indian shipyards in adhering to international standards.
India’s achievements in naval shipbuilding are viewed as integral to national defense and economic development. A thriving shipbuilding ecosystem not only enhances maritime security but also fosters innovation, creates job opportunities, supports micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and establishes an industrial backbone essential for national progress.
The WDB has significantly contributed to this evolution, transitioning from the Directorate of Naval Design in 1970 to its current status as a leading bureau responsible for designing a diverse array of over 20 classes of warships, ranging from patrol boats to aircraft carriers.
Through this seminar, the Indian Navy seeks to outline a roadmap for the future of indigenous warship design and fortify India’s stature as a burgeoning maritime power.
