New Delhi, July 22, 2025 — In a significant move to highlight India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing, the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB) will host a one-day seminar titled “Nation Building Through Shipbuilding” on July 23, 2025, at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.
Organized by WDB — the Navy’s premier warship design arm under Naval Headquarters — the seminar will bring together top voices from the Indian government, the Indian Navy, shipyards, private industry, classification societies, and academia. The goal is to spark collaborative discussions around policy, technology, and industrial challenges in the Indian shipbuilding ecosystem.
Celebrating a Historic Milestone: 100th Warship Delivered
The seminar also marks a landmark achievement for the Warship Design Bureau: the delivery of its 100th indigenously designed warship, Y12652 (Udaygiri), on July 1, 2025. This milestone underlines the Navy’s persistent efforts toward indigenization and technological advancement in naval platforms.
Since its inception in 1964 as the Central Design Office — later renamed the Directorate of Naval Design in 1970 and eventually the Warship Design Bureau — the organization has shaped India’s maritime defence posture. Over six decades, WDB has designed and overseen the construction of 20 different classes of warships, ranging from Seaward Defence Boats to state-of-the-art Aircraft Carriers.
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A Platform for Strategic Dialogue
The upcoming seminar aims to be more than a celebration — it is positioned as a strategic platform to discuss the way forward for India’s shipbuilding industry. Stakeholders will examine critical policy issues, share best practices, and explore cutting-edge technologies that are transforming global naval shipbuilding.
The discussions will focus on:
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Policy reforms needed to boost shipbuilding efficiency and competitiveness
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The integration of futuristic technologies into India’s shipbuilding programs
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Bottlenecks faced by Indian shipyards and MSMEs in achieving global standards
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Opportunities for increased public-private collaboration
By bringing all stakeholders under one roof, the Indian Navy aims to create a cohesive strategy that advances India’s defence readiness and industrial capabilities.
Shipbuilding: A Pillar of Nation Building
Beyond its strategic military relevance, shipbuilding is seen as a driver of economic growth and technological innovation. Indigenous warship construction contributes to national self-reliance, boosts MSMEs and the ancillary manufacturing ecosystem, and creates high-skill job opportunities.
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“The journey from our first indigenous design to the 100th warship is not just a Navy milestone—it’s a national achievement,” said a senior official from the Indian Navy. “Shipbuilding is not merely about vessels; it’s about building capabilities, securing the future, and strengthening the nation.”
The event underscores the Indian Navy’s commitment to the Government of India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” vision by fostering homegrown innovation and manufacturing in the defence sector.
As India aspires to be a global maritime power, the seminar promises to be a critical touchpoint in aligning policy, innovation, and industry to make Indian shipbuilding a strategic enabler of national growth.
