Defense Minister Rajnath Singh today said in the years to come India will not only limit itself for building ships for Indian use but cater to the demand of the entire world.
Speaking at the launch of indigenously built naval ships Surat and Udaygiri in Mumbai Mr Singh recalled India’s long history spreading over many centuries of expertise in developing Naval warfare-based technologies.
The Defense Minister said considering the fact most of the international trade including 2/3 rd of oil trade, 1/3rd bulk cargo and more than half of container traffic in the Indo Pacific region are done sea route, it is imperative to maintain a safe and secure environment in the region, and India being an important stake holder has the responsibility to contribute for the same which can only be possible by creating a strong naval base.
Mr Singh said Indian navy has been doing an unprecedented work in its research and developmental field because of which USINDOPACOM has expressed its desire to work with the Indian navy.
He said considering the uncertain situation developing in Indo pacific and Indian Ocean regions, the role of the Indian navy is going to be more crucial. He said as India is growing into a strong, prosperous nation and is going in the way to be a global power, the role of the Indian navy becomes extremely important.
The Defence Minister launched the two indigenously built state of the art warship Surat and Udaygiri. The warships are a “true testament of Atmanirbhar Bharat” as approximately 75% of the orders for equipment and systems for the warships were given to indigenous firms including micro, small and medium enterprises.
INS Surat is the fourth destroyer in Project 15B which is named after the second-largest commercial hub of western India. While INS Udaygiri is the third ship under Project 17A Frigates, named after the mountain ranges in Andhra Pradesh.
