Sagar Defence Engineering Ltd has been granted an industrial licence by the government for manufacturing surface and underwater vessels for military use. According to reports from PTI, the company is among a handful of private entities to receive this licence for producing vessels for the Indian Navy and Coast Guards. The licence enables the company to undertake activities relating to design, manufacture, construction, integration, assembly, testing and supply of specified naval defence platforms and associated systems, subject to applicable regulatory approvals and licence conditions.
This development follows the grant of an industrial licence for manufacturing arms, explosives and ammunition to Sagar Defence Engineering earlier this year. As reported by PTI, the earlier approval covered specified arms, explosives and ammunition, while the latest licence relates to the separate category of surface and underwater vessels. Capt. Nikunj Parashar, founder and chairman of the company, described it as a significant milestone that will strengthen the company's ability to participate in specific strategic projects, telling PTI that it will strengthen their ability to participate in specific strategic projects.
The Maharashtra-based technology start-up builds autonomous and unmanned marine and aerial systems for defence and commercial sectors. According to PTI, the company has been associated with maritime and unmanned systems since its inception and has developed autonomous and unmanned platforms for defence and maritime applications. The grant of this licence further reflects confidence in the company's capabilities and commitment to strengthening India's defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The licence will enable the company to expand its role in the naval defence sector and contribute to the development of indigenous capabilities in the design and construction of advanced surface and underwater systems. As reported by PTI, this development marks another step in expanding the role of private industry in India's naval defence manufacturing ecosystem and building indigenous capabilities in an area traditionally critical to the armed forces. The deep-tech start-up's capabilities in maritime and unmanned systems position it well for the expanded manufacturing scope.
