Kolkata: In continuance with its efforts towards diversification and developing indigenous solutions to meet the country’s defence requirements, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bengaluru-based Merlinhawk Aerospace Pvt. Ltd. for strategic projects on July 19, 2024.
The MoU was signed by Cdr Shantanu Bose, IN (Retd.), Director (Shipbuilding), GRSE and R Ramachandra Rao, Managing Director, Merlinhawk Aerospace Pvt. Ltd. in the presence of Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE, RK Dash, Director (Finance), GRSE, DIG Subrato Ghosh, ICG (Retd), Director (Personnel), GRSE, Cmde BB Nagpal, IN (Retd), CEO, Merlinhawk, and senior officials of GRSE and Merlinhawk.
GRSE and Merlinhawk will collaborate in the development of Composite doors and hatches for use on naval ships, Counter UAV solution using Electro-Optical Fire Control System (EOFCS), Electro-Optical Infra-Red Search and Track (EOIRST) System, Composite Masts for Indian Navy ships and Hydrogen fuel cells-based power generation for maritime applications.
While GRSE holds the record of having delivered the largest number (109) of warships to India’s maritime defence forces and exported warships to several nations, Merlinhawk provides design and manufacturing support for development of indigenous electronic and electrical components and systems for the armed forces.
This collaboration is a major boost for the country’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and ‘Make in India’ initiatives. GRSE has, for quite some time now, been trying to leverage the technological know-how of Indian companies in the private sector to develop indigenous solutions. Recently, it launched the second edition of the GRSE Accelerated Innovation Nurturing Scheme or GAINS – an open challenge for Start-Ups and MSMEs to develop advanced solutions that would bring about greater efficiency in shipbuilding.
While warship building continues to remain GRSE’s mainstay, the company is also a pioneer in the field of portable steel bridges. GRSE has also diversified into fields such as ship repairs and refits and the manufacture of 30 mm Naval Surface Guns (NSGs). The shipyard also designs and builds specialised vessels both for the domestic and international markets. Recently, GRSE signed a contract with the National Centre for Polar & Ocean Research (NCPOR) for the supply of an Ocean Research Vessel. The shipyard is also building a tug and dredger for Bangladesh and at least four multi-purpose vessels for a German company.
