Evaluate the progress of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the domain of naval shipbuilding, citing recent examples.

Q. Evaluate the progress of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the domain of naval shipbuilding, citing recent examples. (15 marks, 250-350 words)

Naval shipbuilding is today the most advanced arm of India's defence indigenisation, with almost all warships on order being built in domestic yards. Recent inductions show substantial, though uneven, progress — strong in platform construction, still catching up in propulsion and critical sensors.

Achievements: design and construction self-reliance - Indigenous warship design: INS Malvan, commissioned at Karwar on 22 July 2026 as the second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, was indigenously designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi [1]. - High indigenous content: The Mahe class carries over 80% indigenous content, including domestically developed underwater sensors [2][3]. - Serial production capacity: Eight ASW-SWCs are under construction at CSL; the first three — Mahe, Malvan and Mangrol — were launched simultaneously on 30 November 2023, reflecting improved yard throughput [3]. - Ecosystem depth: INS Mahe (commissioned 24 November 2025) drew on BEL, L&T Defence, Mahindra Defence, NPOL and over 20 MSMEs, spreading skills and employment down the supply chain [2]. - Capability relevance: These 78-metre craft deliver coastal anti-submarine, mine-laying and low-intensity maritime operations capability [3] — a niche once met by imports.

Limitations - Timeline slippage: The eight-ship contract was signed in April 2019 with first delivery planned for 2024; commissioning of the second ship only in 2026 indicates schedule overruns [3]. - Critical-component dependence: Marine gas turbines, high-end propulsion and some weapon systems remain substantially import-linked, so "indigenous content" measured by value overstates technological autonomy. - Capability is strongest in smaller platforms; complex submarines and carrier aviation still involve foreign design partnerships.

Verdict: India has convincingly achieved builder self-reliance and is steadily advancing towards designer and system-integrator self-reliance. Sustaining this requires long-term order visibility for shipyards, deeper DRDO–private-sector co-development of propulsion, and stronger MSME participation. Anchored in the Aatmanirbhar Bharat framework, naval shipbuilding remains the credible template for indigenisation across the other services.

(~330 words)

Sources: 1. Indian Navy Commissions INS Malvan, the Second of the Mahe-Class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, PIB (22 Jul 2026) — Malvan commissioned at Karwar, second of class, built by CSL Kochi 2. INS Mahe Commissioned – India's First Mahe-Class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft Joins the Western Naval Command, PIB (24 Nov 2025) — over 80% indigenous content; BEL, L&T, Mahindra, NPOL and 20+ MSMEs 3. Simultaneous Launch of 'Mahe, Malvan and Mangrol', First Three Ships of ASW SWC (CSL) Project on 30 Nov 23 at CSL, Kochi, PIB — eight-ship project, April 2019 contract, 2024 delivery target, 78 m length, indigenous sensors, LIMO and mine-laying roles