GRSE’s Naval Supremacy: 111 Ships Delivered, Outpacing All Indian Shipyards Combined

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), a premier shipbuilding company under the Ministry of Defence, has achieved a landmark unmatched by any other Indian shipyard—delivering 111 warships to the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. This remarkable feat not only highlights GRSE's strategic importance in India’s maritime defense infrastructure but also places it leagues ahead of all other Indian shipyards combined in terms of warship production.

A Legacy Forged Over Six Decades

Founded in 1884 and taken over by the Government of India in 1960, GRSE was the first Indian shipyard to build a warship in the country—INS Ajay, an anti-submarine warfare ship commissioned in 1961. Since then, GRSE has steadily evolved into the most prolific warship builder in India, delivering everything from fast attack crafts and landing ship tanks to corvettes, survey vessels, and advanced offshore patrol vessels.

The recent delivery of the IN LCU L-58, the final ship in a series of eight landing craft utility vessels for the Indian Navy, marked its 111th delivery—an unprecedented milestone. With this, GRSE's delivery count now surpasses the combined total of all other Indian shipyards, including major players like Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).

What Sets GRSE Apart?

GRSE's edge comes from a combination of technical expertise, operational efficiency, and a strong focus on indigenous design and innovation. The shipyard is known for delivering ships ahead of schedule, a rare accomplishment in the global shipbuilding industry.

One of GRSE's standout projects is the Kamorta-class (Project 28) anti-submarine warfare corvettes, which were the first warships in India to be built with stealth features. These technologically advanced ships, designed in-house, incorporate over 90% indigenous components—a testament to India’s self-reliance drive under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Additionally, GRSE is currently involved in several high-profile naval projects:

• Project 17A: Advanced stealth frigates being built for the Indian Navy.

• Survey Vessels (Large): A series of ships designed for hydrographic surveys, with four being built by GRSE.

• Fast Patrol Vessels for the Indian Coast Guard, and exports to countries like Mauritius, Seychelles, and Guyana.

Export Success and Strategic Role

GRSE has also made its mark in the global defense market. It has exported patrol vessels to friendly foreign nations, including CGS Barracuda to Mauritius, the first warship to be exported by India. This diversification beyond domestic contracts reflects the company’s rising international profile.

Moreover, GRSE plays a critical role in India’s regional maritime diplomacy and outreach in the Indo-Pacific, supporting the Indian Navy’s mission-based deployments and capability expansion.

Investment in Modernization

To maintain its competitive edge, GRSE has made significant investments in modernizing its infrastructure. Its Integrated Shipbuilding Facility is a state-of-the-art modular yard that enables parallel construction of multiple ships, reducing build times and increasing output. It is also exploring AI-based design tools, autonomous ship technologies, and green propulsion systems to future-proof its offerings.

With the Indian Navy’s long-term maritime modernization plan calling for a 200-ship fleet by 2035 and the Coast Guard rapidly expanding its force structure, GRSE is well-positioned to continue its leadership role. Its order book remains strong, and its proven track record makes it a preferred partner for both domestic and foreign naval forces.

In an industry where delays and cost overruns are common, GRSE stands as a model of efficiency, innovation, and reliability. Its achievement of delivering 111 warships, more than all other Indian shipyards combined, is not just a statistic—it’s a symbol of India’s growing maritime prowess and self-reliant defense ecosystem.