IN Shipbuilding Seminar.
Indian Navy Shipbuilding-Nation Building Seminar: Delhi Cantonment, July 24, 2025 In a resounding declaration of India’s maritime ambitions, the Indian Navy concluded a one-day shipbuilding seminar titled “Nation Building Through Shipbuilding” on July 23, 2025, at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi Cantonment. Organized by the Warship Design Bureau, the event brought together a high-powered group of stakeholders — from senior government officials and naval leadership to industry experts and academics — to deliberate on the future of indigenous shipbuilding and its vital role in nation building.
The highlight of the day was a virtual keynote address by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), who laid out a forward-looking roadmap for the Indian Navy under its Vision 2047. The plan envisions transforming the Navy into an Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) force, driven by cutting-edge innovation, indigenous technology development, and strategic integration of emerging and disruptive technologies.
“Our journey towards indigenisation is not just about reducing imports,” Admiral Tripathi said. “It is about building capability, enhancing resilience, and asserting India’s strategic autonomy in maritime affairs.”
100th Indigenous Ship: A Milestone of Maritime Self-Reliance
In a major symbolic moment underscoring India’s progress, the CNS also celebrated the delivery of the Navy’s 100th indigenously designed ship, calling it more than just a numerical milestone.
“This achievement signifies decades of determination, technical excellence, and a maturing defense industrial ecosystem. It reflects the Indian Navy’s commitment to nurturing a robust maritime design and construction base,” he added.
A Convergence of Policy, Technology, and Industry
The seminar drew wide participation from across the maritime and defense sectors, including representatives from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Indian shipyards, classification societies, and top engineering institutions.
The four technical sessions held during the day focused on crucial themes — policy frameworks, indigenous ship design, emerging technologies, and skill development. These sessions aimed at formulating actionable strategies to make Indian shipbuilding globally competitive and to remove regulatory and operational bottlenecks.
Discussions emphasized that India’s shipbuilding sector holds immense potential not only for economic growth and employment but also for strategic strength and technological advancement.
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According to a senior official from the Warship Design Bureau, the sessions were designed to “create a confluence of thought leadership and practical policy solutions, enabling a stronger and more agile maritime industrial base.”
Showcasing Six Decades of Naval Design Expertise
The seminar also spotlighted the Warship Design Bureau’s significant contributions over the past 60 years, which include over 20 unique warship designs and more than 100 vessels delivered to the Indian Navy. These range from frontline destroyers and frigates to support vessels and submarines, reflecting a growing capability to design and build highly specialized and technologically sophisticated platforms.
Experts at the event emphasized that while India has made great strides in naval shipbuilding, challenges remain — particularly in aligning domestic production standards with global benchmarks, accelerating delivery timelines, and scaling up skilled manpower.
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Focus on Future Technologies and Skill Development
A key outcome of the seminar was the recognition of futuristic technologies such as artificial intelligence, smart ship systems, and modular construction techniques as essential for next-generation naval platforms. Experts urged closer collaboration between industry and academia to foster research in these areas and to develop a pipeline of future-ready engineers and designers.
The discussions also centered around the need to upskill the workforce, with calls for expanded vocational training, updated curriculum in technical institutions, and targeted initiatives under the government’s skilling programs. Stakeholders stressed that human capital is just as critical as technological capital in making India a shipbuilding powerhouse.
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Toward a Maritime Industrial Renaissance
As global dynamics shift and maritime security becomes more pivotal, India’s emphasis on indigenous shipbuilding is as much about strategic autonomy as it is about economic opportunity. The seminar concluded with a strong consensus that a synergized approach involving policy reform, technology adoption, and public-private collaboration is key to realizing India’s shipbuilding potential.
“Shipbuilding is not just about warships. It’s about building a nation — with jobs, innovation, and a strong industrial spine,” a senior MoD official said in closing remarks.
With the Indian Navy steering its course toward a self-reliant future and the defense ecosystem responding in kind, the seminar was not just a conference — it was a call to action.
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