Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday announced that INS Tamal would be the last foreign-built ship for the Indian Navy, affirming that all future naval vessels will be constructed in India.
Addressing the commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri in Visakhapatnam, Singh called this move a “decisive step towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing” and highlighted that the Indian Navy has marked a historic milestone with the commissioning of these warships.
“INS Tamal was the last foreign order for the Indian Navy. We have decided that no future ship for the Indian Navy will be built abroad; we will build our ships in India. This is a very decisive step towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Indian Navy has completed a century with the commissioning of these warships,” the Defence Minister said.
India’s Dream of Self-Reliance
Singh said that the launch of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri symbolizes the realization of India’s dream of self-reliance. He congratulated the Indian Navy on this occasion and called it proof of the nation’s vision and commitment.
“The commissioning of INS Udayagir and INS Himgiri is a visual depiction of our dream of a self-reliant India coming true. It is also proof of our vision and commitment. I congratulate the Indian Navy on this occasion,” he said.
Power Play In Indian Ocean
Referring to the growing power play in the Indian Ocean, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the region has become a strategic hotspot where interests of many countries are converged, making it essential for India to maintain strong maritime preparedness.
“The power play going on in the Indian Ocean alerts us time and again. The interests of many countries collide here. This is why we need to ensure our maritime preparedness remains strong,” he said.
Evolving Warfare
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that with warfare evolving rapidly and new technologies and weapons emerging in every conflict, it is crucial to stay ahead of future threats and keep developing innovative solutions.
“In today’s times, rapid changes are taking place in the triangle of warfare, with every conflict showcasing some new technology, new strategy, and new equipment.
With wars constantly changing in this manner, it has become necessary for us not only to keep ourselves updated, but also to think in directions that have so far been unexplored and unexpected,” the Defence Minister said.