[Examine the role of Defence PSU shipyards like GRSE in advancing Aatmanirbhar Bharat in naval platforms.](/upsc-mains-answer/examine-role-defence-psu-shipyards-like-3800065)

Q. Examine the role of Defence PSU shipyards like GRSE in advancing Aatmanirbhar Bharat in naval platforms. (15 marks, 250-350 words)

Defence PSU shipyards are the industrial backbone of India's naval self-reliance. The simultaneous commissioning of three indigenously built platforms — Dunagiri, Sanshodhak and Agray — at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata on 21 June 2026 illustrates how these yards convert indigenous design capability into deployable combat power [1].

Building across the full capability spectrum - GRSE delivers surface combat (Dunagiri, fifth ship of Project 17A stealth frigates, second built at GRSE), hydrography (Sanshodhak, last of four Survey Vessels-Large) and littoral anti-submarine warfare (Agray, fourth of eight ASW Shallow Water Craft) [2][3][4]. - All three are designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau, showing that design, not merely assembly, is now domestic [1].

Absorbing and maturing technology - Learning curves compress timelines: Dunagiri's build period fell to 80 months against 93 months for the first P-17A ship [2]. - Niche technologies are being mastered — ASW-SWCs at ~77 m are the largest Indian warships propelled by waterjets, fitted with lightweight torpedoes, indigenous rocket launchers and shallow-water SONAR [4].

Anchoring an indigenous industrial ecosystem - Sanshodhak carries indigenous content above 80% by cost [3]. - Dunagiri alone generated over 3,000 jobs and engaged 29 Indian OEMs and MSMEs, spreading capability beyond the yard [2]. - Construction is certified to Indian Register of Shipping rules, deepening domestic standard-setting [4].

Limitations - Capacity constraints persist: orders are split with Mazagon Dock and private yards — Sanshodhak was launched at L&T, Kattupalli [3]. - Critical propulsion, sensors and weapon sub-systems still rely partly on foreign collaboration, and delivery timelines remain long by global benchmarks.

Defence PSU shipyards have thus moved from licensed construction to integrated design-and-build hubs, making warship building the most successful vertical of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Sustaining this requires steady order pipelines, faster MSME technology absorption and greater PSU–private partnership, so that indigenisation deepens from hull and platform to weapons and propulsion — securing both India's maritime interests and its defence-industrial autonomy.

(~330 words)

Sources: 1. Indian Navy Set to Commission Three Indigenous Naval Platforms in Kolkata, PIB — triple commissioning at GRSE Kolkata; Warship Design Bureau as designer 2. Indigenous Stealth Frigate 'Dunagiri' Delivered to Indian Navy, PIB — P-17A sequence, 80-month build period, jobs and MSME participation 3. Fourth Survey Vessel (Large) 'Sanshodhak' Delivered to Indian Navy at GRSE Kolkata, PIB — last of four SVLs, >80% indigenous content, launch at L&T Kattupalli 4. Delivery of 'Agray' – The Fourth Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft Built by GRSE, Kolkata, PIB — 77 m waterjet-propelled craft, weapon fit, IRS classification