SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM
India’s ambitious plans to become a major defense exporter are being hampered by the slow pace of warship construction within the country. While the Indian Navy has made significant strides in modernizing its fleet, the lengthy shipbuilding timelines have hindered its ability to compete effectively in the global defense market.
A key factor contributing to the slow construction times is the complexity and scale of Indian warships. Projects like the P17A frigate, for example, have taken an average of 78 months from block erection to the start of sea trials. This is significantly slower than comparable warships built by other navies. The Chinese PLAN Type 054B FFG frigate, for instance, takes only 12 months from block erection to sea trials, while the JMSDF 25DD frigate takes 19 months and the French MM FREMM frigate takes 32 months.
Another significant challenge is the Indian Navy’s practice of batch ordering, which often leads to major upgrades and changes being requested during the construction process. These modifications can disrupt production schedules and result in ships that are not entirely standardized, requiring additional work at dry docks or specialized training for personnel.
To enhance its export potential, India needs to focus on producing warships that are not only competitive in terms of performance but also offer a lower cost of acquisition and construction. This will require streamlining the shipbuilding process, reducing construction times, and minimizing design changes during production.
Moreover, India could benefit from adopting a more modular approach to warship design, allowing for greater flexibility and customization while maintaining efficiency. By breaking down ships into smaller, standardized modules, it would be possible to reduce construction time and costs, while also improving the potential for export.
In conclusion, India’s slow warship construction times pose a significant obstacle to its defense export ambitions. To overcome this challenge, the country needs to focus on streamlining its shipbuilding processes, reducing construction times, and adopting more efficient design and production methods. By doing so, India can position itself as a competitive player in the global defense market and realize its potential as a major exporter of naval equipment.
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