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We have a very pragmatic outsourcing policy: Rear Admiral (Retd) RK Shrawat
Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), aptly called ‘Ship Builder to the Nation’, is the country’s leading defence PSU shipyard, where the main activities are construction of warships and submarines. Having facilities in Mumbai and Nhava, MDL has the capability to also build merchant ships up to 30,000 DWT. The shipyard is currently building four warships and six Scorpene-class submarines for the Indian Navy. Its present turnover is about R2,800 crore. MDL chairman and managing director Rear Admiral (retd) RK Shrawat had an interaction with FE’s Huma Siddiqui. Excerpts:
What is your take on Make in India?
We are more than 100% in line with the PM’s vision and mission. In fact, we are a true symbol of Make In India. Our warships are not only Made in India, they are also world-class. We shall continue to work to increase the number of machinery/ equipment on board ships which are Made in India.
What projects you are working on?
Currently we have two prestigious warship building projects and the Scorpene submarine project in hand. Two missile destroyers of the Kolkata Class are at a very advanced stage of construction and we intend to deliver both the vessels to the Indian Navy soon. The first of the Project 15B Destroyer class, that are follow-ons of the Kolkata Class, is getting ready for launch next month. We have recently been awarded a contract for building multi-mission frigates that are design derivatives of the acclaimed Shivalik Class Frigates. Seven ships will be built between MDL (four) and GRSE (three), with MDL playing the role of the lead yard. The progress of the submarine construction programme had suffered in the past for reasons beyond MDL’s control. However, past hurdles have all been overcome and all six boats of the Scorpene class are at various stages of construction. Thefirst boat is scheduled to be rolled out by end of next year.
Reports suggest you will not be able to handle the orders you have and may outsource them to private yards. What is your opinion on this?
Yes, we have agreed to challenging time lines and price lines for our projects. Therefore, there is a need to work simultaneously on multiple fronts, with optimum utilisation of our resources. We have a very pragmatic outsourcing policy wherein activities that are not part of our core competence/niche expertise can be carried out via outsourcing. We have tried to leverage spare capacities available in both public and private shipyards in the country for mutual benefit. We encountered several difficulties. However, we are yet again moving ahead. Our priority is to liquidate the order book and deliver the strategic capital assets to our customer, the Indian Navy, as per the contractual schedules. For P15B project, we have already floated a pre-defined work package wherein shipyards in the public and private sectors are participating. Further, we have enhanced our facilities as part of our modernisation programme to open a new front, especially keeping in mind the upcoming P75I series.
Navy has now agreed that all the six new submarines, armed with both land-attack missile capabilities and air-independent propulsion, will be constructed inIndia with foreign collaboration under ‘Project-75-India’. Will you participate in this?
This project is important for the nation from strategic and tactical perspectives. MDL is fully poised to participate in the programme. In fact, MDL has already developed exclusive capabilities for indigenous construction of conventional submarines with quality that match global standards. Our workforce is highly skilled and trained in the nuances of submarine construction. Our executives are also highly qualified and trained, and have imbibed the requisite skill-sets for handling complex platforms like the submarines. The learning curve on the seriesof six boats of the Scorpene class affords the yard a very unique position to take up P75I. Our infrastructure for submarine construction is capable of handling the P75I programme.
Have you exported any ships/vessels to foreign navies?
We had exported several non-military vessels in the past; our latest export orders were two multi-support vessels for foreign clients. As for naval platforms, such weapon platforms are sold amongst the governments of the countries concerned.
MDL is in the fray to build seven warships under Navy Project 17A. what is the time line and cost for this?
We have recently signed the contract for building seven ships, three of which will be built at GRSE Kolkata. The construction of the first vessel will commence in early 2017, after a preparatory period of 24 months. We will be fully leveraging our modernised infrastructure and would be resorting to the integrated construction (IC) methodology as practised by advanced shipbuilding nations for building these vessels. Specialised know-how will also be procured from aninternational shipyard to aid the shipyards for adopting and customising the IC methodology. The ships will be built in 60-66 months. The cost would be aboutR6,400 crore per vessel.
Is your shipyard outsourcing any work to MSMEs?
I have personally seen to it that MSMEs get a fair share of business from us. In fact, I have travelled that extra mile to accommodate MSMEs in several cases. Anumber of commercially off the shelf (COTS) items that are required for warships and submarines are sourced from MSMEs. In addition, a large number of servicecontracts are also assigned to MSMEs. We have a clearly laid down policy for procurement from MSMEs in keeping with the extant government guidelines. Our experience with MSMEs has been by and large encouraging.
Source:- We have a very pragmatic outsourcing policy: Rear Admiral (Retd) RK Shrawat | The Financial Express
Some info about Project 15B>>
Above two images, taken in Oct 2013, and May 2014 respectively, show the progress on first P-15B
hull fabrication.
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