By A Correspondent

New Delhi: In a major boost to India’s indigenous shipbuilding ecosystem, the Indian Navy has signed a contract for the construction and delivery of three 200-tonne Bottom Opening Non-Propelled Barges with Suryadipta Projects Private Limited, a Thane-based MSME shipyard.

The contract was concluded on January 16, 2026, underscoring the Navy’s accelerating push towards self-reliance and domestic capacity-building, according to an Indian Navy statement issued by Press Information Bureau (PIB).

The barges, designed to meet operational logistics requirements, will be constructed under the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).

Officials said the project strongly aligns with the Government of India’s flagship Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiatives, reinforcing the Navy’s role as a catalyst for indigenous defence manufacturing.

This latest contract highlights the Indian Navy’s sustained commitment to nurturing MSME shipyards, which form the backbone of India’s maritime industrial base.

By placing orders with smaller domestic players, the Navy is enabling technology absorption, skilled employment generation, and long-term industrial resilience.

The move is also in sync with the Maritime India Vision 2030, which aims to strengthen India’s shipbuilding and repair capabilities while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.

Strategically, such initiatives enhance supply chain security and operational readiness, positioning India as a credible maritime power with a robust domestic defence-industrial ecosystem.

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