Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Rajnath Singh Backs India as Global Shipbuilding Hub
Rajnath Singh said India has a chance to build many more ships for the world.
He said shipbuilding has become weaker in several Western countries.
India has engineers, IT experts and workers who could help fill this gap.
Singh also said India could design ships and sell those designs to other countries.
He believes India can provide ship repairs and maintenance in the Indian Ocean region.
Five new projects were started in West Bengal.
Three projects will improve shipyards and repair facilities connected with GRSE.
Two other projects will make special metal products for defence, railways and nuclear facilities.
Together, the projects involve about ₹3,500 crore in investment.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh said India could become a global shipbuilding, design and repair hub.
Five brownfield projects involving about ₹3,500 crore were launched in West Bengal.
GRSE’s Raichak facility will receive over ₹2,500 crore for warship and commercial-vessel construction.
The Shalimar and Damodar facilities will be upgraded for medium-sized vessel construction, repairs and electric ferries.
Two projects at Ishapore’s Metal and Steel Factory will receive over ₹750 crore for defence and metallurgical manufacturing.
- Who
- Defence minister Rajnath Singh, GRSE, Yantra India Limited and the West Bengal government are involved.
- What
- Five brownfield projects were launched to expand shipbuilding, ship repair and indigenous defence manufacturing.
- When
- The projects were inaugurated on Sunday.
- Where
- The projects are located in West Bengal, including Raichak, Shalimar, Kidderpore Docks and Ishapore.
- Why
- Singh said growing vessel demand and declining shipbuilding capacity in some Western countries create an opportunity for India.
- Total investment
- Around ₹3,500 crore across five brownfield projects in West Bengal.
- Raichak facility
- A 32-acre shipyard with a 356-metre waterfront and investment exceeding ₹2,500 crore.
- Raichak capabilities
- Planned facilities include a 200-metre dry dock and capacity for warships up to 200 metres and commercial vessels up to 60,000 DWT.
- Shalimar facility
- Nearly ₹100 crore will fund medium-sized shipbuilding and repairs, including restoration of a 130-metre dry dock.
- Damodar facility
- About ₹70 crore will support medium-sized vessel repairs and construction of electric ferries and other small crafts.
- Ishapore projects
- A 3,000-ton hydraulic forging press and a radial forging plant will receive more than ₹750 crore combined.
- GRSE partnerships
- GRSE signed lease agreements with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata for shipyard sites at Raichak and Shalimar.