Discuss how the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative is transforming India's defence manufacturing ecosystem, with reference to the role of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) in indigenous warship construction.

Q. Discuss how the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative is transforming India's defence manufacturing ecosystem, with reference to the role of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) in indigenous warship construction. (15 marks, 250-350 words)

Atmanirbhar Bharat has reoriented defence procurement from import-dependence towards domestic design and build. The commissioning of ICGS Akshay at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) on 27 June 2026 [1] illustrates how this shift is maturing — with DPSUs moving from licensed fabrication to indigenous naval architecture.

Transforming the procurement ecosystem - Categorisation drives demand: the eight Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) for the Coast Guard were contracted under Buy (Indian-IDDM) — indigenously designed, developed and manufactured — for ₹473 crore in March 2022 [2]. - Cost and employment retention: roughly ₹59 crore per vessel, with the order explicitly aimed at boosting indigenous shipbuilding capability and jobs [2]. - Depth of content: the FPVs carry over 60% indigenous content, widening the domestic vendor base for larger future platforms [3].

DPSUs as design houses, not merely yards - GSL designed the FPV in-house to Coast Guard requirements — 52 m, 320 tonnes displacement [3] — rather than building to a foreign drawing. - Technology absorption: the Adamya-class is the first ICG class with Controllable Pitch Propellers and indigenously developed gearboxes, alongside the indigenous 30 mm CRN-91 gun [4]. - Serial delivery: from ICGS Adamya (June 2025) [4] to ICGS Akshay (June 2026) [1], DPSUs have sustained a production line rather than one-off prestige builds.

Gaps that persist - Import dependence continues in propulsion, sensors and weapon electronics, so indigenisation percentages measure value, not always criticality. - Design and integration capacity remains concentrated in a few DPSUs, with private shipyards and MSMEs still junior partners.

Atmanirbhar Bharat has thus moved Indian warship construction from assembly towards authorship, with DPSUs like GSL anchoring the transition. Sustaining it requires deepening the MSME component ecosystem, timely delivery schedules and an export orientation, so that self-reliance in shipbuilding translates into genuine strategic autonomy and credible maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.

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Sources: 1. ICGS Akshay Commissioned into Bharatiya Tatrakshak Fleet — PIB, 27 June 2026 — commissioning date, venue, Atmanirbhar Bharat framing 2. MoD signs ₹473 crore contract with GSL for construction of eight Fast Patrol Vessels for Indian Coast Guard — PIB — contract value, Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, indigenous shipbuilding and employment objective 3. Two Fast Patrol Vessels constructed by GSL for Indian Coast Guard launched in the presence of Secretary (Defence Production) in Goa — PIB — over 60% indigenous content, in-house GSL design, 52 m / 320 tonnes 4. ICG inducts 'Adamya', the first FPV out of the eight being built by GSL — PIB — June 2025 induction, controllable pitch propellers, indigenous gearboxes, CRN-91 gun