Pollution Control Vessel Samudra Pratap Boosts India’s Sea Power

Ships built by GSL & other Indian yards are floating symbols of India’s sovereignty, says Raksha Mantri ahead of commissioning of Pollution Control Vessel ‘Samudra Pratap’ into ICG

Aatmanirbharta in defence is not a luxury, but a strategic necessity “Equipping ships with state-of-the-art equipment, AI-enabled maintenance & cyber-secure platforms is key to gaining an edge over adversaries. India is a proactive maritime nation, ensuring stability, cooperation & rule-based order throughout the Indian Ocean Region.

“The ships built by the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and other Indian yards for the Indian Navy & the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) are the floating symbols of India’s sovereignty, representing our presence, capability, and resolve on the high seas,” said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh during his visit to the GSL on January 04, 2026, on the eve of the commissioning of Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) ‘Samudra Pratap’ into the ICG. Samudra Pratap, the first of two PCVs built by the GSL, will be commissioned in the presence of the Raksha Mantri in Goa on January 05, 2026. Pollution Control Vessels play a vital role in protecting India’s long coastline by responding quickly to oil spills and marine pollution incidents. With increasing shipping traffic and offshore activity, such specialised ships are becoming more important to safeguard marine life and coastal livelihoods.

Shri Rajnath Singh described Aatmanirbharta in defence as not a luxury, but a strategic necessity, lauding institutions like the Goa Shipyard Limited for transforming this necessity into reality. In recent years, India has focused strongly on reducing dependence on foreign defence equipment. Indigenous shipbuilding helps save foreign exchange, creates skilled jobs, and ensures that critical defence assets remain available during global crises. The GSL’s steady delivery of complex vessels reflects the growing maturity of India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.

The Goa Shipyard Limited is developing capabilities, absorbing technology, and strengthening indigenous design, which have resulted in the timely delivery of equipment to the Armed Forces and accelerated the pace towards making the nation self-reliant, he said. Indian shipyards today are not only building ships but also learning to integrate advanced sensors, propulsion systems, and digital controls. This shift from basic construction to full system integration marks a significant step in India’s journey towards defence self-sufficiency.

Underlining the critical role played by the Indian shipyards in today’s complex security environment, Raksha Mantri asserted that non-traditional threats are constantly increasing alongside traditional challenges in the maritime domain. “We face numerous challenges at sea, such as narcotics trafficking, illegal fishing, human trafficking, environmental crimes, and grey-zone challenges. In such a situation, the role of shipyards becomes even more critical,” he said. Modern coast guard vessels are designed to handle many tasks at once, from law enforcement to disaster response, making them key tools in maintaining maritime order.

Located in a city which is the centre of the country’s maritime history, naval heritage, and strategic foresight, the Goa Shipyard Limited is one of the pillars of India’s defence ecosystem, bearing the responsibility for maritime security, he said. Goa has long been linked with seafaring and naval activity, and the presence of a major shipyard there adds strategic depth to India’s western coastline.

Shri Rajnath Singh emphasised that a ship is not just an amalgamation of steel, machinery, and technology; it is a symbol of the trust of the people and the expectations & needs of the Armed Forces. Naval and coast guard crews depend on the reliability of these vessels in harsh conditions at sea. The Goa Shipyard Limited has fulfilled this trust and expectations for years, he said, by delivering ships that meet strict operational standards.

Raksha Mantri stressed that India is emerging as a proactive maritime nation, and its role in ensuring stability, cooperation, and rule-based order throughout the Indian Ocean Region is increasing constantly. India regularly participates in maritime exercises, humanitarian assistance, and search and rescue missions, which strengthen regional confidence and security. He exhorted institutions such as the Goa Shipyard Limited to further support India’s credibility in the future.

“In view of the growing importance of technology in the defence sector, we will have to adapt to this changing landscape. We must focus on equipping the ships with state-of-the-art equipment, AI-enabled maintenance, and cyber-secure platforms to gain an edge over our adversaries,” he added. AI-based maintenance systems help predict faults before they occur, reducing downtime and improving safety. Cybersecurity has also become essential as modern ships rely heavily on digital networks.

Appreciating the efforts of the Goa Shipyard Limited towards building a high-technology dredger for Belgium, Shri Rajnath Singh endorsed an enhanced focus on increasing defence exports with an aim to make India a self-reliant nation as well as a net defence exporter. Export orders help Indian shipyards meet global standards and improve competitiveness. “To realise the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, we must ensure continuous progress through hard work and commitment,” he said, extending the Government’s full support to the capability enhancement of institutions such as GSL.

Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Director General, ICG DG Paramesh Sivamani, Chairman & Managing Director, Goa Shipyard Limited Shri Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay and personnel of the shipyard were present on the occasion, reflecting strong coordination between the government, armed forces, and industry. The event highlighted how indigenous shipbuilding is becoming a cornerstone of India’s maritime strength and national confidence.

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