An international seminar ‘Future trends and Opportunities in Warship Design and Construction’ was held at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi, to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Indigenous Warship Design and Construction. Admiral R.K. Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff, was the chief guest. The event was honoured by the presence of Defence Secretary R.K. Mathur and other senior officers.

The Chief of the Naval Staff said that in recognition of the need for development of indigenous capabilities, the Corps of Naval Constructors had been formed in 1954, followed by setting up of a Central Design Office (CDO) in 1964. In 1970, this Central Design Office emerged as the Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and it formed the bedrock of all warship design activities in the country. In the last five decades, India’s growing maritime self-reliance has facilitated the greater recognition of the role that India plays in providing stability in the Indian Ocean region.

He also said that the DND has been a cornerstone for the construction of 119 warships and submarines of various types and sizes in our shipyards as of date. During the address the Admiral said that this journey of 50 years is a milestone in the self-reliance programme of the Indian Navy and stressed that indigenisation of platforms, weapons, sensors and equipment, through participation of public and private sectors will continue to remain a focus area. The recently commissioned warships INS Kolkata, INS Kamorta (in August 2014) and INS Sumitra (in September 2014) aptly demonstrate the immense potential of the country in indigenous warship design and building capability. He emphasised that “road map for the Navy’s expansion and growth would continue to remain firmly anchored on self-reliance and indigenisation”.