The seminar comes in the wake of the recent delivery of INS Udaygiri (Y12652) on July 1, 2025 — the 100th warship designed by WDB and delivered to the nation. This achievement stands as a testament to India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing and the long-standing efforts of the Warship Design Bureau in strengthening the country’s naval capabilities, according to an official release.
Established initially as the Central Design Office in 1964, WDB was restructured into the Directorate of Naval Design in 1970. Over six decades, the organisation has played a crucial role in the design and construction of 20 classes of warships, ranging from Seaward Defence Boats to state-of-the-art Aircraft Carriers. The Bureau’s legacy underscores its importance as a strategic asset to the nation.
The upcoming seminar will bring together key stakeholders including representatives from the Government of India, Indian Navy, public and private shipyards, defence and industrial sectors, classification societies, and leading academic institutions. The event is aimed at fostering a unified and forward-looking dialogue on the future of Indian shipbuilding.
Discussions during the seminar will revolve around policy frameworks that govern the shipbuilding sector, the integration of emerging and futuristic global technologies, and the pressing challenges faced by domestic shipyards and allied industries. The exchange of ideas is expected to help chart a roadmap for elevating India’s shipbuilding standards to global benchmarks.
The 100th warship milestone also reflects broader implications for national development. Shipbuilding is not only vital to maritime defence and strategic deterrence, but also contributes to economic resilience by spurring indigenous manufacturing, technological innovation, and employment generation. The ripple effects extend to the MSME sector and the ancillary ecosystem, fostering industrial growth and self-reliance.
