West Bengal defence manufacturing expansion launched by Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has launched five major expansion projects in West Bengal worth approximately ₹3,500 crore. The initiatives, involving Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Yantra India Limited (YIL), aim to strengthen India’s domestic defence manufacturing and shipbuilding capabilities under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives.

GRSE is investing heavily in three sites along the Hooghly river. This includes a major shipbuilding hub at Raichak with an investment exceeding ₹2,500 crore, featuring facilities capable of constructing warships up to 200 metres. Additional projects include the rejuvenation of the Timber Pond facility in Shalimar and the Damodar facility at Kidderpore Docks for medium-sized vessel repairs and electric ferry production.

YIL is undertaking two projects in Ishapore costing over ₹750 crore. These facilities will include a 3,000-tonne hydraulic forging press and a radial forging plant designed for gun barrels, ammunition, and nuclear components. The expansion is expected to drive industrial growth in West Bengal and create opportunities for MSMEs and ancillary industries.