State-run Maharatna steel company SAIL announced that it provided 5,700 tonnes of special steel for three newly commissioned Indian Navy ships. These vessels, including stealth frigate INS Dunagiri, anti-submarine warfare craft INS Agray, and survey vessel INS Sanshodhak, were inducted into the Indian Navy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a ceremony in Kolkata. The special quality DMR 249A grade hot-rolled sheets and plates were sourced from SAIL’s Bokaro, Bhilai, and Rourkela steel plants for these naval platforms.
SAIL emphasized its technological expertise in producing defense-grade steel essential for critical maritime applications. The company has been ramping up the production of DMR-grade plates to meet the increasing demands of the defense sector, especially at the Special Plate Plant of the Rourkela Steel Plant. Aligning with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, SAIL aims to boost self-reliance in strategic sectors and reduce reliance on imports.
Furthermore, SAIL has a history of supplying specialized steel for significant indigenous naval projects, such as the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and stealth frigates like INS Nilgiri, INS Himgiri, and INS Udaygiri. Its defense-grade steel has also been utilized in vessels like INS Ajay, INS Nistar, and INS Anjadeep. SAIL’s Chairman and Managing Director, Ashok Kumar Panda, reiterated the company’s dedication to supporting India’s defense self-reliance objectives.
The inclusion of these three naval vessels signifies a crucial step in India’s endeavor to bolster maritime capabilities through domestic manufacturing and technological advancements.
