New Delhi, January 4 (). Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday visited GSL on the eve of the induction of Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) ‘Samudra Pratap’ into the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). During this, he said that the ships built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and other Indian shipyards for the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) are floating symbols of India’s sovereignty, representing our presence, capability and determination in the open seas.
Let us inform that the first of the two PCVs built by GSL, Samudra Pratap, will be commissioned in Goa on 5 January 2026 in the presence of the Defense Minister.
Rajnath Singh described self-reliance in the defense sector as a strategic need and praised organizations like GSL for turning this need into reality.
He said that GSL is developing capabilities, assimilating technology and strengthening indigenous designs, resulting in timely delivery of equipment to the armed forces and accelerating the pace towards making the nation self-reliant.
Emphasizing the important role of Indian shipyards in today’s complex security environment, the Defense Minister said that along with traditional challenges, non-traditional threats are also increasing in the maritime domain.
He said that we face many challenges at sea, such as drug trafficking, illegal fishing, human trafficking, environmental crimes and challenges related to suspicious areas. In such a situation, the role of shipyards becomes even more important. Situated at the heart of the country’s maritime history, naval heritage and strategic vision, the GSL is a vital pillar of India’s defense posture and is responsible for maritime security.
Rajnath Singh stressed that the ship is not just a mix of steel, machinery and technology, but is a symbol of the public trust and the expectations and needs of the armed forces. He said that GSL has been fulfilling this trust and expectations for years.
The Defense Minister emphasized that India is emerging as a proactive maritime nation and its role is continuously increasing in ensuring stability, cooperation and rules-based order in the Indian Ocean region.
He urged institutions like GSL to further strengthen India’s credibility in the future.
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