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Defence technology firm Sagar Defence Engineering on Thursday laid the foundation stone for what it described as the world’s first autonomous maritime shipbuilding and systems centre at Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour in Andhra Pradesh.
The facility, coming up in Nellore district, will focus on the development and production of next-generation maritime technologies, including unmanned surface vessels (USVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), intelligent navigation systems, maritime sensors, communications networks and command-and-control platforms for autonomous operations.
Spread over 29.58 acres in its first phase, the centre will have direct access to the sea, enabling vessel construction, launch, testing and deployment at the same location. Of the total land allocated, about 7.58 acres comprise the waterfront area, while the rest falls within the harbour zone.
The shipyard will also employ digital twin technology, creating virtual replicas of vessels and shipyard infrastructure, to simulate performance, test upgrades, and refine designs before real-world deployment. According to officials, such systems allow engineers to detect design issues early and reduce development time.
In addition to research and development, the centre will house testing, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and training facilities. More than 300 jobs are expected to be generated as the project progresses.
The initiative has been developed with the support of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Andhra Pradesh government as part of efforts to promote private-sector innovation and strengthen India’s maritime technology ecosystem.
Company Founder and Chief Executive Nikunj Parashar said the project aims to position India at the forefront of autonomous maritime technologies.
“The Autonomous Maritime Shipbuilding and Systems Centre represents the next chapter in how maritime systems will be designed, built and operated,” Parashar said. “As global maritime operations increasingly move towards autonomy, this facility will allow India to design, test and manufacture next-generation unmanned maritime systems domestically.”
The company said smart manufacturing technologies will underpin the shipyard’s operations. These include robotic fabrication systems for automated welding, cutting, painting, and assembly; autonomous material handling using robots and automated guided vehicles; and additive manufacturing (3D printing) for rapid production of specialised components and spare parts.
Parashar added that, with India’s 7,500-km coastline and Andhra Pradesh having the country’s second-longest coastline, the maritime sector could become a major driver of economic growth and coastal security.
Team BharatShakti
