India's Warship Challenge: L&T Urges Faster Procurement, Private Sector Role and Bulk Orders to Outpace China

At this year's NDTV Defence Summit, a stark call echoed across the industry: India must dramatically accelerate its warship building capabilities to stay relevant in an increasingly complex maritime security environment.

Arun Ramchandani, Executive Vice-President of L&T Defence, painted a picture of a crucial gap widening between India and its primary regional competitor, China.

India's Challenge: Time, Technology, and Ecosystem​

Ramchandani's message was clear – India's shipbuilding turnaround times are significantly slower than China's, a disparity that cannot remain unaddressed.

Modernization lies at the heart of this solution, including adopting cutting-edge technologies alongside streamlining processes and fostering a stronger shipbuilding ecosystem – all focused specifically on speed and efficiency.

This ecosystem, vital for building complex warships, needs everything from highly skilled labor to advanced infrastructure and seamless supply chains. Enhancing and expediting all such elements remains key to bolstering India's naval prowess.

Procurement, Partnerships, and Matching China's Pace​

Within this equation, L&T's executive stresses that the Indian Navy must overhaul its procurement process and work more closely with private shipyards.

Defence analyst Ranesh Rajan adds weight to this perspective, citing India's approximately 7-year timelines for frontline warships compared to China's significantly shorter timelines.

China's efficiency is staggering; Type 055 and Type 052D class vessels often move from launch to commissioning in a mere 3 and 2 years, respectively. Rajan implores India to emulate China's mass-ordering strategy, focusing on standardized platforms with minimal modifications.

This continuity streamlines construction, cuts costs, and enhances the fleet's operational readiness.

Benefits of Bulk Orders and Standardization​

This proposed shift isn't just about copying China's playbook; it aligns with broader principles supported by many defence analysts. Bulk orders mean consistent work for shipyards, allowing them to optimize resources and production lines.

Standardized ship designs further accelerate building and create efficiency within maintenance and supply chains.

The Way Forward​

L&T's message, amplified by Rajan and others, reveals a path India could take.

Change won't be easy: it requires rethinking procurement, building stronger public-private partnerships, and embracing advanced construction methods like modular shipbuilding for greater efficiency.

Yet, the payoff is a modernized Indian Navy, better equipped to meet the strategic challenges of a dynamic maritime environment.

 

[Pink Panther]

Yes L&T should be involved.

 

[Frank]

And accountability...

And some patriotism

Problem is Indian private companies also only like screw driving

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

And accountability...

And some patriotism

Problem is Indian private companies also only like screw driving

You do realize modern modular shipbuilding is nothing but highly efficient assembly work? All modern ships are fabricated in modular pre-fabricated sections off site and then shipped to shipyard for final assembly.

 

[Frank]

You do realize modern modular shipbuilding is nothing but highly efficient assembly work? All modern ships are fabricated in modular pre-fabricated sections off site and then shipped to shipyard for final assembly.

You did not get my point

 

[NSR]

Totally agree with the L&T points of Bulk orders, Modular constructions, and private players.
L&T did pretty well with nuclear submarines and K-9 Vajra, etc
Bringing in private companies will fast start defense and even general economic takeoff.

Large orders with a good private company will streamline the processes, and reduce the cost of products, and also improve quality and reliability for sure.
Go for it.

 

[Frank]

Totally agree with the L&T points of Bulk orders, Modular constructions, and private players.

screw driving

only kalyani doing original RD

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

You did not get my point

Oh I get if fully, but chose not to respond as it was too foolish. What is the patriotism do u speak of? where was the patriotism of DPSU that persistently mismanages vital defense procurement projects and endlessly delays projects that are vital for national security? Where was the accountability of DPSU back then?

Yet we chose to bear with their ineptitude for over six decades. Where they innovating and producing original designs? No for most part except few they were license producing weapon systems. So why now suddenly expect the private sector to suddenly start original innovation? Any way private sector is doing it for the first time so will take time to do original innovation. Why not give the same chance we gave the PSU for over six decades? Hence its perfectly fine for private sector to do screwdriver job, provided they do it effectively and efficiently with minimal quality control issues. Which they do any way. Its perfectly fine for private sector to do "screwdriver job"

 

[Satya Dev]

Why warships - and not container ships or oil/gas tanker ships - because the moolah is high in warships? Why do they not compete with Chinese & South Korean modular shipyards which churn out container vessels by the week?

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

Why warships - and not container ships or oil/gas tanker ships - because the moolah is high in warships? Why do they not compete with Chinese & South Korean modular shipyards which churn out container vessels by the week?

Can't compete with South Korean or Chinese efficiency. Our labor laws prevent implementation of mass automation to protect job market, however its been proven automation in shipyards radically speeds ship construction.

 

[Frank]

Oh I get if fully, but chose not to respond as it was too foolish. What is the patriotism do u speak of? where was the patriotism of DPSU that persistently mismanages vital defense procurement projects and endlessly delays projects that are vital for national security? Where was the accountability of DPSU back then?

I attack DPSU all the time

Indian private companies like Adani Ambani Tata Mahindra Lt... Only love screw driving.
Adani Ambani Tata can develop P75I or passenger aircraft but no

Small new private companies in turkey is doing that... Developing weapons on their own..

You are an idiot. Don't reply to me Pls.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

screw driving

Why such an aversion towards screwdriving?
Everybody starts at zero. China also started with screwdriving and it took them decades before they became a manufacturing behemoth.

Manufacturing is not like masturbation, that one learns of own accord.
Manufacturing is like calculus, which one learns in stages.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

And accountability...

And some patriotism

Problem is Indian private companies also only like screw driving

Why such an aversion towards screwdriving?
Everybody starts at zero. China also started with screwdriving and it took them decades before they became a manufacturing behemoth.

Manufacturing is not like masturbation, that one learns of own accord.
Manufacturing is like calculus, which one learns in stages.

 

[Superpower Bharat]

Oh I get if fully, but chose not to respond as it was too foolish. What is the patriotism do u speak of? where was the patriotism of DPSU that persistently mismanages vital defense procurement projects and endlessly delays projects that are vital for national security? Where was the accountability of DPSU back then?

Yet we chose to bear with their ineptitude for over six decades. Where they innovating and producing original designs? No for most part except few they were license producing weapon systems. So why now suddenly expect the private sector to suddenly start original innovation? Any way private sector is doing it for the first time so will take time to do original innovation. Why not give the same chance we gave the PSU for over six decades? Hence its perfectly fine for private sector to do screwdriver job, provided they do it effectively and efficiently with minimal quality control issues. Which they do any way. Its perfectly fine for private sector to do "screwdriver job"

No one stopping private companies to do with R&D and field a final product. L&T says it design a midget submarine. Why won't they build a prototype and give IN for testing. MDL is doing that. Please explain why India's LPD project was doomed.. Even for FSV an open tender was issued. Why L&T won't came up?

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

No one stopping private companies to do with R&D and field a final product. L&T says it design a midget submarine. Why won't they build a prototype and give IN for testing. MDL is doing that. Please explain why India's LPD project was doomed.. Even for FSV an open tender was issued. Why L&T won't came up?

Designing a prototype takes immense funds when you're dealing with naval warships and especially so when you are dealing with submarines. PSU shipyards do not need to worry about such trivial issues as the Government of India bankrolls their projects anyway. However private sector does not have a sugar daddy to bankroll them. They are answerable to their investors and thus would be hard-pressed to justify investments without commitment to acquire them. Without a firm confirmed commitment, they will never sink such funds.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Can't compete with South Korean or Chinese efficiency. Our labor laws prevent implementation of mass automation to protect job market, however its been proven automation in shipyards radically speeds ship construction.

Oue problem are more inherent and would need more fundamental changes.
The current government has proven it is still an amateur when it comes to converting its executive powers into convention.
Judicial Reform under NJAC and 2021 Farm Bills are examples that the current dispensation has long way to learn the art of not just passing bills in the Parliament, but also getting it through the subjects. Khangress in its years if administrative experience was adeot at achiving just this.
I hope by the next term, Bhajipao party will learn this craft as well.

Its important because all these reforms along with Labour Law reforms go hand in hand.

Agriculture bill will enable movement of large rural masses from agriculture into manufacturing workforce. The labour law reforms will ensure that labour unions will no longer be an impediment to productivity. And finally juducial reform will ensure courts will qctually give judgement and not be a black-hole of comatose justice.

 

[Superpower Bharat]

Can't compete with South Korean or Chinese efficiency. Our labor laws prevent implementation of mass automation to protect job market, however its been proven automation in shipyards radically speeds ship construction.

Don't give excuses... first L&T have to prove that they can build a warship. Then only they can ask for bulk order.. MDL, GRSE, HSL, CSL building our own design warship. Ok if for NGD GOI issue an open tender. What L&T will do.? I am sure they will screwdriving a foreign design ship.. And half of the money we spend on it will go other country.. why we will let it happen? This is the reason still so much push we are top in defense import. Why don't L&T invest in infrastructure and collaborate with WDB and make warship. Because even IN won't trust L&T.. everybody seen what happens in AMCA.. TEDBF and IMRH will also go similar way.. No SPV model..

 

[Frank]

Why such an aversion towards screwdriving?
Everybody starts at zero. China also started with screwdriving and it took them decades before they became a manufacturing behemoth.

Manufacturing is not like masturbation, that one learns of own accord.
Manufacturing is like calculus, which one learns in stages.

Companies then move on from 0 but our private companies stuck at 0

When kaan strikes IAF based what will our duffer generals and f00ls like you will be doing??

Mas turbation of calculus??

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

Oue problem are more inherent and would need more fundamental changes.
The current government has proven it is still an amateur when it comes to converting its executive powers into convention.
Judicial Reform under NJAC and 2021 Farm Bills are examples that the current dispensation has long way to learn the art of not just passing bills in the Parliament, but also getting it through the subjects. Khangress in its years if administrative experience was adeot at achiving just this.
I hope by the next term, Bhajipao party will learn this craft as well.

Its important because all these reforms along with Labour Law reforms go hand in hand.

Agriculture bill will enable movement of large rural masses from agriculture into manufacturing workforce. The labour law reforms will ensure that labour unions will no longer be an impediment to productivity. And finally juducial reform will ensure courts will qctually give judgement and not be a black-hole of comatose justice.

Its not that simple. The Government even tried to modernize the erstwhile OFB, but they were so adamant about not using automated CNC machines and machine tools that the expensive imported machine tools were wastefully stored in warehouses.

And, Khangress did not manage anything, all they did successfully was to do the politics of act as though they were doing everything without doing anything. Had they even done something for the farm sector, it would not have been in the state that it currently is and our companies would have been far more productive.

L&T is the most modern shipyard that employs most hi-tech automated cutting and welding machines in their shipyards. However, the PSU lobby has successfully lobbied with MoD to keep them out of contention.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

Don't give excuses... first L&T have to prove that they can build a warship. Then only they can ask for bulk order.. MDL, GRSE, HSL, CSL building our own design warship. Ok if for NGD GOI issue an open tender. What L&T will do.? I am sure they will screwdriving a foreign design ship.. And half of the money we spend on it will go other country.. why we will let it happen? This is the reason still so much push we are top in defense import. Why don't L&T invest in infrastructure and collaborate with WDB and make warship. Because even IN won't trust L&T.. everybody seen what happens in AMCA.. TEDBF and IMRH will also go similar way.. No SPV model..

Which it did. They delivered what was given to them much ahead of the delivery schedule. Unlike our PSU shipyards, they delivered their patrol crafts for the Coast Guard almost 6 months ahead of schedule. Same with the K-9 Vajra Self-Propelled Howitzers. Same with the AIP system, although it required significant rework and redesign to rectify issues.