Need to utilise private sector for shipbuilding: Navy chief

Indian Navy chief Admiral Robin Dhowan Thursday stressed on indigenisation of shipbuilding, and said there was a need to utilise the potential of the private sector for it.

"The roadmap for the navy's expansion and growth would continue to remain firmly anchored on self-reliance and indigenisation," Dhowan said at a function here to celebrate the golden jubilee of the Navy Warship Design Bureau.

He said that recently commissioned warships INS Kolkata, INS Kamorta and INS Sumitra have aptly demonstrated the immense potential of the country in indigenous warship design and building capability.

"We need to leverage the shipbuilding capacities and capabilities available in our private and public sectors in a holistic manner to ensure that we provide our indigenisation vision the right impetus," he said.

The navy chief urged ship designers to work in synergy with all shipyards and domain experts and absorb the best practices available the world over "to ensure that our future warships meet best global standards in build quality, timelines and cost".

Dhowan said that at present, 41 ships and submarines are under construction at various public and private shipyards in the country.