Tag: defence manufacturing

Business

Goa Shipyard Ltd and GCCI to Collaborate on Joint Seminar and Vendor Development Programme for Goan MSMEs

allycaralgoa

Vasco-da-Gama – In a progressive move to strengthen Goa’s MSME ecosystem and enhance local participation in the maritime and defence industries, Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) has expressed its intent to collaborate with the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on a Joint Seminar and Vendor Development Programme.

A delegation from GCCI comprising Mr. Chandrakant Gawas (Chairman, GCCI Logistics Committee), Mr. Sanket Kaskar (Foreign Trade Officer), and Mr. Priyesh Kamat met with Shri Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, Chairman & Managing Director of GSL, to discuss the proposal and map out a collaborative roadmap.

🌟 Key Focus Areas of the Initiative:

  • Joint Seminar featuring expert discussions on vendor development challenges and opportunities
  • Vendor Identification & Registration Drives to onboard capable Goan MSMEs
  • Training & Capacity Building Workshops aligned with GSL’s quality and procurement standards
  • Quality & Productivity Promotion through collaborative tools and industrial best practices
  • Policy Advocacy & Industry-Academia Linkages to create a robust maritime ecosystem in Goa

The initiative also proposes involving neighbouring Chambers such as the Belgaum Chamber, further enhancing regional cooperation and resource pooling.

GCCI expressed gratitude to Shri Upadhyay and GSL for their proactive approach in supporting local businesses and reiterated the importance of this collaboration in driving self-reliance, local job creation, and inclusive industrial growth.

The next step will see a GCCI delegation visit GSL to formalize the plan and execute actionable strategies. This partnership stands to unlock new growth avenues for Goan MSMEs in the maritime and defence sectors, while positioning Goa as a competitive hub for manufacturing excellence.

📖 Stay updated with the full coverage on allycaral.com

National

Indian Coast Guard Begins Construction of First Indigenous Air Cushion Vehicle in Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

In a landmark move bolstering India’s maritime defence self-reliance, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) officially began construction of its first indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) on July 30, 2025. The ceremony, known as the Girder Laying and Commencement of Erection, was held at the Chowgule & Company Pvt. Ltd. shipyard in Goa.

The ACV is based on the globally proven designs of Griffon Hoverwork (UK) and is being adapted and built using Indian expertise to serve a wide range of coastal and offshore missions. These hovercraft are specially designed to operate in shallow waters, offering rapid deployment and flexibility for missions such as coastal patrolling, interdiction, and search and rescue operations.

The ceremony was attended by ICG Inspector General Sudhir Sahni, Deputy Director General (Materiel & Maintenance), who highlighted the strategic importance of this development in India’s defence manufacturing landscape.

This construction marks the first ACV in a series of six, under a contract signed on October 24, 2024, between the Ministry of Defence and Chowgule & Company. The initiative underscores the Indian Coast Guard’s steadfast commitment to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission, aiming to reduce dependency on foreign equipment and bolster operational autonomy.

Once inducted, these vessels will add a powerful new dimension to India’s coastal response force, offering unmatched speed and manoeuvrability in dynamic maritime environments. The move reflects the growing synergy between public and private sector defence firms in building a self-reliant defence ecosystem.

International

South Korea’s HD Hyundai Signs MoU with Cochin Shipyard to Strengthen Maritime Ties

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New Delhi, July 3, 2025: In a significant step toward fostering strategic maritime cooperation, South Korea’s HD Hyundai has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s largest shipbuilder, Cochin Shipyard Ltd. (CSL). This strategic partnership aims to promote collaboration in advanced shipbuilding, defence manufacturing, and maritime innovation.

The agreement was signed in the presence of senior officials from both nations and marks a pivotal moment in the expanding Indo-Korean industrial relationship.

The MoU will focus on several key areas:

  • Technology transfer in commercial and defence shipbuilding
  • Joint development of eco-friendly and next-generation vessels
  • Collaboration in global maritime projects
  • Promotion of localised manufacturing under the Make in India initiative

This development aligns with India’s broader push to enhance its blue economy and maritime capabilities. Cochin Shipyard, which has emerged as a powerhouse in defence shipbuilding and maintenance, will benefit from HD Hyundai’s global expertise and innovation in marine engineering.

“This partnership is not just about ships. It’s about building capabilities, sharing knowledge, and steering the future of maritime technology together,” said a Cochin Shipyard spokesperson.

Strategic Significance

The MoU is also expected to pave the way for joint participation in global tenders, co-development of dual-use technologies, and potentially new facilities or expansion in India and South Korea.

HD Hyundai, formerly known as Hyundai Heavy Industries, is a global leader in shipbuilding and maritime technology. The company has a longstanding reputation for innovation in LNG carriers, naval ships, and eco-friendly marine solutions.

The Indo-Korean partnership comes at a time when both countries are looking to expand strategic cooperation in key sectors such as defence, blue economy, renewable energy, and industrial manufacturing.

As global shipping lanes evolve and defence requirements grow, this MoU could shape the future of maritime collaboration between two of Asia’s leading industrial powers.

Human Interest

Goa Shipyard Achieves Major Milestone: Keel Laid for Yard 1283, Fourth NGOPV for Indian Navy

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Panjim, Goa | June 10, 2025 — Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), one of India’s premier defence shipyards, marked a significant milestone with the keel laying of Yard 1283, the fourth vessel in the Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) series for the Indian Navy. This landmark event took place at the GSL campus and was presided over by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, AVSM, VSM, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff.

The ceremony underscores the growing momentum of the Rs 6,200 crore NGOPV project, which involves the construction of seven technologically advanced patrol vessels—all designed and built in-house by GSL. These vessels are intended to enhance the Indian Navy’s operational readiness and maritime security footprint across the Indian Ocean Region.

The keel laying of Yard 1283 marks the official commencement of its physical construction and reaffirms India’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in the defence manufacturing sector.

Each NGOPV is engineered to undertake a variety of missions, including long-range surveillance, maritime patrolling, anti-piracy operations, and protection of offshore assets. The vessels will also play a crucial role in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and maritime interdiction tasks.

Key Features of the NGOPVs:

  • Length: 114 meters
  • Beam: 14.6 meters
  • Displacement: 2,700 tonnes
  • Propulsion: Dual diesel engines with Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP)
  • Armament: Indigenous weapons and sensors, designed for multi-role maritime duties
  • Crew Comfort: State-of-the-art accommodation and operational systems

Addressing the gathering, Vice Admiral Swaminathan highlighted the Navy’s focus on indigenisation and the strategic role GSL is playing in shaping India’s future-ready naval capabilities.

“This keel laying is not just a shipbuilding ritual—it’s a testament to the Indian Navy’s unwavering focus on operational self-reliance. GSL has consistently demonstrated excellence in execution, delivering critical platforms under challenging timelines,” said the Vice Admiral.

He praised the efforts of the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Navy, and private and public sector entities in strengthening India’s domestic shipbuilding ecosystem.

Mr. Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, Chairman and Managing Director of Goa Shipyard Ltd., expressed pride in the shipyard’s growing contribution to national security.

“Yard 1283 reflects our team’s precision, passion, and purpose. These strategic orders highlight the level of trust placed in GSL by the Indian Navy, and we remain firmly committed to delivering vessels of world-class standards with high indigenous content,” said Mr. Upadhyay.

He also pointed out that GSL’s continuous investments in infrastructure, technology, and human capital are driving it toward becoming a global name in defence shipbuilding.

The NGOPV project is not just about ships—it’s about creating an ecosystem of design, engineering, and production excellence rooted in Indian capabilities. Each milestone, including the keel laying of Yard 1283, brings India closer to its vision of maritime self-sufficiency and strategic autonomy.

As the Indian Navy continues to expand and modernize, GSL remains a cornerstone in its journey—building platforms that are not only technically advanced but also symbolize national pride.