India aims to be defence manufacturer, not just buyer: PM Modi
The Prime Minister said, “No country without maritime capabilities can be a great power. Development, security and prosperity all depend on the oceans. Today, most of the world trade is carried out by sea. Large data networks connecting the world pass under the seas. In the coming period, critical mines, deep sea resources and new energy sources will also be connected to the oceans. The country with strong maritime capabilities will also have economic and strategic power.”
The Prime Minister today commissioned three indigenously designed and built naval ships, INS Dunagiri, an advanced stealth frigate, INS Sanshodhak, a research ship (large) and INS Agray, an anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft.
“The ships, designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, and built by GRSE, represent core operational capabilities in naval warfare, hydrographic survey and anti-submarine warfare. Together, they reflect the Navy’s balanced approach to capability development, strengthening offshore operations, enhancing maritime domain awareness and securing coastal waters against evolving threats,” the MoD said in a statement.
“By 2014, defense production increased from Rs 700 billion to Rs 40,000 million. This is just the beginning. But the progress in the last 12 years shows when policies and strategies are put into practice,” the Prime Minister said. “My strength is not defined by becoming a market for the world, but my talent lies in my self-confidence. India wants to be a manufacturer.”
The Prime Minister said that all three military ships were designed by India and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata with wide participation of Indian engineers, including more than 200 MSMEs. These ships are also a testament to India’s “Aatmanirbharat” journey. “The needs of a modern ship, one hundred tons of steel, electronics, thousands of youth and more than 200 MSMEs contributed to the construction of these three warships,” he said.
The Prime Minister congratulated the Indian Navy, scientists, engineers and workers involved in the construction of this ship. “June 21 is also celebrated as World Hydrography Day and it is a coincidence that India’s most advanced hydrographic ship INS Sanshodhak is commissioned on this day,” the Prime Minister said.
