Forest Services
Introduction: Delivery of Dunagiri and Strategic Context
On April 28, 2024, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) delivered the indigenous stealth frigate Dunagiri to the Indian Navy at Mumbai. Dunagiri is the second ship of the Project 17A class, featuring approximately 90% indigenous content. This event marks a significant step towards India’s strategic objective of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing, enhancing naval capabilities while reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.
The frigate is equipped with advanced stealth features, BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, and state-of-the-art sensors, aligning with the Indian Navy’s vision to expand its fleet to 175 ships by 2030 with over 70% indigenous content.
UPSC Relevance
- GS Paper 3: Defence Production, Security Challenges, Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), Make in India initiative
- GS Paper 2: Union List - Defence under Article 246, Navy Act, 1957
- Essay: Strategic autonomy and indigenous defence manufacturing
Legal and Policy Framework Governing Indigenous Warship Building
The Parliament’s legislative authority over defence stems from Article 246 and Entry 54 of the Union List in the Constitution. The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2020 provides the procedural framework for acquisition, emphasizing indigenous design and manufacture through categories like Make, Buy Indian, and Buy & Make (Indian).
The Defence Production Policy 2018 targets self-reliance by promoting domestic manufacturing capabilities and technology development. The Make in India initiative, under the Ministry of Defence’s Department of Defence Production, operationalizes these policies by incentivizing private and public sector participation in defence manufacturing.
The Indian Navy functions under the Navy Act, 1957, which governs its organization and operations, including procurement and commissioning of warships like Dunagiri.
Economic Impact and Defence Manufacturing Growth
The Indian Navy’s capital budget for 2023-24 stands at approximately ₹1.4 lakh crore (Union Budget 2023-24), reflecting increased allocation towards indigenous platforms. The defence manufacturing sector, valued at $15 billion in 2023, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12% till 2030 (MoD Annual Report 2022-23).
Dunagiri is part of a ₹15,000 crore contract awarded to MDL for seven Project 17A frigates. Indigenous content in warship construction has risen from 40% in 2010 to over 70% in 2023 (PIB). This growth supports the defence export target of ₹35,000 crore by 2025 and generates an estimated 10,000 direct and indirect jobs (MoD).
Key Institutions in Indigenous Warship Development
- Indian Navy: End-user and operator, responsible for defining operational requirements.
- Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL): Principal shipyard constructing Project 17A frigates.
- Ministry of Defence (MoD): Policy formulation, procurement authority, and budget allocation.
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO): Develops stealth technology and weapon systems integrated into frigates.
- Directorate General of Naval Design (DGND): Design authority overseeing indigenous warship architecture.
- Indian Register of Shipping (IRS): Classification and certification ensuring compliance with naval standards.
Technical and Operational Features of Dunagiri
Dunagiri incorporates advanced stealth technology, reducing radar cross-section and enhancing survivability. It is equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, state-of-the-art sensors, and integrated combat management systems.
Project 17A involves seven frigates with enhanced automation, modular construction, and improved weapon systems compared to Project 17. Indigenous content reaches 90%, reflecting substantial domestic design and manufacturing inputs.
Warship production capacity has increased from 3 ships per year in 2010 to 7 ships per year in 2023 (MoD Annual Report). This scale-up supports the Indian Navy’s Maritime Capability Perspective Plan targeting a fleet of 175 ships by 2030.
Comparative Analysis: India vs China in Indigenous Warship Production
| Parameter | India | China (PLA Navy) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Indigenous Warships Commissioned (2010-2023) | ~50 (including Project 17A frigates) | Over 350 |
| Indigenous Content in Warships | 70-90% (Project 17A class) | Over 80% |
| Annual Warship Production Capacity | 7 ships/year (2023) | 20+ ships/year |
| Technology Development | Reliant on foreign tech transfer for critical components | Mostly indigenous technology with advanced gas turbines and combat systems |
| Strategic Objective | Expand fleet to 175 ships by 2030 with high indigenous content | Modernize and expand blue-water capabilities rapidly |
Critical Gaps in Indigenous Warship Building
Despite progress, India depends on foreign technology for critical components such as advanced gas turbines and integrated combat management systems. This reliance delays full self-reliance and inflates costs.
Technology transfer agreements often come with restrictions, limiting India’s ability to innovate independently. Additionally, scaling up production capacity to match regional competitors remains a challenge.
Significance and Way Forward
- Delivery of Dunagiri demonstrates India’s growing capability in indigenous warship design and construction, reinforcing strategic autonomy.
- Enhancing R&D investments in critical technologies like propulsion and combat systems is essential to reduce foreign dependence.
- Expanding private sector participation and fostering public-private partnerships can accelerate production scale and innovation.
- Strengthening export potential through platforms like Dunagiri aligns with the government’s ₹35,000 crore defence export target by 2025.
- Continuous modernization of policy frameworks like DPP to incentivize Make and Buy Indian categories will sustain momentum.
- They have approximately 90% indigenous content.
- They are equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
- Project 17A frigates are the same as Project 15B destroyers.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- It includes categories like Make, Buy Indian, and Buy & Make (Indian) to promote indigenous manufacturing.
- It mandates 100% indigenous content for all defence acquisitions.
- It is formulated under the authority of Article 246 and Entry 54 of the Union List.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
What is the significance of the Project 17A class frigates for the Indian Navy?
Project 17A frigates, including Dunagiri, represent advanced stealth warships with around 90% indigenous content. They enhance the Indian Navy’s blue-water capabilities with modern sensors, BrahMos missiles, and automation, supporting the fleet expansion plan to 175 ships by 2030.
Which institution is responsible for the design of the Dunagiri frigate?
The Directorate General of Naval Design (DGND) is the design authority responsible for the indigenous design of Project 17A frigates like Dunagiri.
How has indigenous content in Indian warship construction evolved over the last decade?
Indigenous content in warship construction has increased from approximately 40% in 2010 to over 70% in 2023, reflecting enhanced domestic manufacturing capabilities and technology integration.
What are the main challenges India faces in achieving full self-reliance in warship building?
India depends on foreign technology for critical components such as advanced gas turbines and integrated combat management systems, which delays full self-reliance and raises costs despite progress in indigenous shipbuilding.
Under which constitutional provision does Parliament have the authority to legislate on defence procurement?
Parliament’s authority to legislate on defence procurement is derived from Article 246 read with Entry 54 of the Union List in the Constitution of India.
About LearnPro Editorial Standards
LearnPro editorial content is researched and reviewed by subject matter experts with backgrounds in civil services preparation. Our articles draw from official government sources, NCERT textbooks, standard reference materials, and reputed publications including The Hindu, Indian Express, and PIB.
Content is regularly updated to reflect the latest syllabus changes, exam patterns, and current developments. For corrections or feedback, contact us at admin@learnpro.in.