Building a robust domestic ancillary ecosystem is critical for strengthening India’s maritime sovereignty and supporting the country’s expanding naval ambitions, experts said during a panel discussion at the maritime defence dialogue ‘Sagar Sankalp – Reclaiming India’s Maritime Glory’, organised by THE WEEK in partnership with Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).
The panel, chaired by Rear Admiral Amit Bose (Retd.), director, Indian Maritime University (IMU), and consisting of Commander Shantanu Bose (Retd.), director (shipping), GRSE; Biju George, director (shipping), Mazagon Dock Ltd; Pankaj Chadha, executive vice president, L&T; Commodore Ajay Sharma (Retd.), vice president, Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd; and Anil Das, CEO & MD, Conceptia Software Technologies, discussed ‘Building Sovereignty at Sea: The Strategic Imperative of a Domestic Ancillary Ecosystem’, examining the challenges and opportunities in India’s naval shipbuilding sector.
It was observed during the discussion that the deep maritime heritage of India, with its seafaring tradition dating back to at least 500 BCE, was gradually overshadowed over time. However, ever since Independence, India has consciously begun rebuilding its maritime capabilities, particularly through indigenisation initiatives in the naval shipbuilding sector
The panelists highlighted the role of the Indian Navy as the first responder in the Indian Ocean region, including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, maritime security operations and maritime domain awareness, and said this role demands a highly capable and self-reliant maritime industrial base.
One of the central challenges discussed was the limited domestic availability of key onboard systems and critical components used in warship construction.
One of the panellists noted that while India has made substantial progress in indigenising auxiliary systems and many smaller components, major aggregates such as propulsion systems and specialised materials are still not fully indigenous.
It was pointed out that defence manufacturing requires long-term visibility and assured orders to encourage investment in complex systems, as industry will invest only when there is clear visibility of demand and production numbers.
The discussion also highlighted the growing role of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Without these smaller companies, the shipbuilding sector cannot function efficiently, the experts concluded, highlighting the importance of a strong ancillary ecosystem.
The panel also underscored the need for maritime industrial clusters, similar to those developed in leading shipbuilding nations in East Asia. Such clusters would bring together shipyards, suppliers, research institutions and logistics networks in close proximity, improving efficiency and reducing production delays.
The experts further stressed the importance of balancing defence and commercial shipbuilding, which would allow shipyards to maintain stable workloads while improving profitability.
Another challenge identified was the shortage of skilled manpower in specialised areas such as underwater systems, acoustics and naval engineering. Panellists noted that younger generations are increasingly reluctant to pursue labour-intensive industrial jobs, creating a gap in skilled workers.
To address this, industry leaders called for targeted skill development programmes and stronger collaboration between academia and industry. Universities and research institutions must align their research with real-world industrial needs so that innovations can be translated into deployable products.
Technology adoption was another major theme of the discussion. Participants highlighted the growing importance of digital engineering, 3D modelling, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and digital twin technologies in modern shipbuilding. These technologies can improve design efficiency, reduce errors during the integration of equipment, and enhance predictive maintenance of warships throughout their operational lifecycle.
As India moves toward its Vision 2047 goal of becoming a leading maritime power, the panel concluded that a strong domestic industrial ecosystem will be indispensable in ensuring both strategic autonomy and operational readiness at sea.