Reviewed: DPSUs’ indigenization levels
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called on state-owned shipyards to operate at full capacity, explore new business models to increase to be competitive in export markets.
Singh made the call during a review of four Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) engaged in shipbuilding – Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Delhi on 17 Feb 2020.
He appreciated the indigenization levels achieved by the DPSUs and urged them to explore further avenues in the push for ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The GRSE has a significant presence in the segment of Bailey Bridges, with Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Indian Army and civil sectors being the prime customers.
GRSE is exporting such bridges to friendly neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
GRSE has the distinction of delivering more than 100 warships to the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. The last ship of P-28 project namely Kavaratti is scheduled for delivery to the Indian Navy shortly. With excellent track record in ship deliveries, GRSE delivered 11 warships within the last 32 months.
The GSL has made significant inroads into global market with export of diverse vessels to Indian Ocean Region (IOR) countries. Till date, the shipyard has exported 36 vessels and a Damage Control Simulator to friendly foreign countries. These projects were delivered ahead of schedule.
Its dominance in exports is evident from 15 overseas deliveries made in the last four years including two large Offshore Petrol Vessels to Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Myanmar.
The GSL has also got into understandings with various organisations as part of expanding its operations and scope.
MoUs have been signed with NBCC (India) Ltd, formerly National Building and Construction Company, the field of Project Management Consultancy, with L&T to jointly produce Defence Equipment for both domestic as well as export market, with BEL in the field of Composites and exports of Defence Products.
Incorporated in 1934, the MDL has built 796 vessels, including 25 warships and four submarines. It is the only shipyard capable of building destroyers and conventional submarines. INS Kolkata, INS Kochi, INS Chennai, INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi and others have been delivered by MDL in the last five years.
In order to give an impetus to the ‘Make in India’ campaign, a dedicated department of indigenisation was set up in November 2015 along with a road map for indigenisation till 2030. The MDL has successfully indigenised certain equipment such as sonar dome, ship installed chemical agent detection system, bridge window glass, main batteries for Scorpene submarines, multiple cable transit glands and remote-controlled valves with various companies on a no cost no commitment basis.
HSL has emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) in the competitive tendering process for 3 tenders during the FY 2018-19. All these contracts have been secured amidst stiff competition from public sector shipyards and private shipyards. HSL has signed two major shipbuilding contracts with Indian Navy i.e. two Nos Diving Support Vessel and four Nos 50 Ton BP Tugs worth Rs 2,392.94 crore and Rs 260.72 crore, respectively. fiinews.ccom
