Navy escorted 335 merchant ships worth $5.6 bn cargo: Rajnath

By Admin

24 Oct, 2025

In a remarkable demonstration of India’s maritime prowess, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday lauded the Indian Navy for ensuring safe passage for approximately 335 merchant vessels carrying 1.2 million metric tonnes of cargo valued at $5.6 billion. Speaking at the Naval Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi, Singh emphasized the Navy’s pivotal role in safeguarding trade and maritime security across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Indian Ocean: The New Centre of Global Geopolitics

Addressing senior naval officials, Singh noted that the Indian Ocean has emerged as a hub of contemporary geopolitics, evolving from a passive maritime space to a theatre of both competition and cooperation. “The Indian Navy, through its multi-dimensional capabilities, has played a leadership role in the region,” he said, adding that India’s growing role in maritime security is a clear marker of the country’s credibility as a trusted global partner.

A Confident and Self-Reliant Navy

Terming a self-reliant Navy as the foundation of a “confident and powerful nation,” Singh praised the service for its commitment to indigenisation and innovation under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Over the past decade, nearly 67 percent of the Navy’s capital acquisition contracts were signed with Indian industries, reflecting a significant reduction in dependency on imports.

Singh highlighted the Navy’s extensive collaboration with domestic industries, MSMEs, and startups. Currently, the Navy is driving 194 innovation and indigenisation projects under iDEX, TDF, SPRINT, and Make-in-India initiatives, fostering technological self-reliance while integrating private industries and young innovators into India’s national defence ecosystem.

Boosting Industrial and Economic Growth

The Defence Minister underscored the Navy’s contribution to India’s economic growth through indigenous shipbuilding. “With every ship and submarine built, a new job is created; with every engine, a new skill is created; and with every indigenous system, India’s dependency is decreasing,” he remarked.

Citing the Project 17A frigates, featuring over 75 percent indigenous content, Singh noted that the program has generated around 1.27 lakh jobs at shipyards such as Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). Additionally, the Navy’s recent contracts worth ₹315 crore for the construction of yard crafts mark a significant milestone in the government’s “Vocal for Local” vision.

Innovation in Aviation and Technology

Singh also praised the Navy’s strides in aviation and technology, highlighting projects like Multi-role Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft, Utility Helicopters, Twin-engine Deck Fighters, and Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems (NSUAS). He emphasized that these initiatives are not only bridging critical capability gaps but also strengthening self-reliance and steering India’s domestic aviation sector in new directions.

Operation Sindoor: A Testament to Excellence

Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, commended the collective professionalism and dedication of Team Navy, especially highlighting the success of Operation Sindoor, which he described as “a source of pride for the nation.”

Defence Minister Singh’s address reinforced the Navy’s role as a trusted guardian of India’s maritime interests, underscoring its contribution to national security, global trade, and domestic industrial growth. With the Indian Navy at the helm, India is not only safeguarding its maritime borders but also asserting itself as a reliable and capable player in the global maritime economy.