Secretary Defence Production Visits GSL

Goa: Dr. Ajay Kumar, IAS, Secretary (Defence Production) Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India visited GSL on 10th-11th Nov 2018. During the visit, Secretary (DP) laid the keel for 4th Coast Guard OPV, under construction at GSL and inaugurated the Foreign Specialist Accommodation at Chicalim for MCMV Project & Advanced Missile Frigate Project. He was briefed by RAdm Shekhar Mital, NM, IN (Retd), CMD GSL on the progress of ongoing 5 CGOPV Project being undertaken by GSL for Indian Coast Guard as well as the ambitious ongoing Shipyard Modernisation Program at GSL.

 

Secretary (DP) was conducted around the shipyard and was taken to the upcoming Infrastructure sites under various phases of the modernization program. He was apprised of the various world-class infrastructures coming up in the yard in the next 2-3 years, which will provide GSL indigenous capability to build weapon intensive high tech Ships for Defence and for Exports.

 

Secretary (DP) took the keen interest in the ongoing construction of ships, R&D, innovation & 3D design being done by shipyard and urged GSL to use increasingly more and more Artificial Intelligence-based technologies. Secretary (DP) said Quote “GSL’s unique capability of delivering ships, ahead of schedule, while working in the PSU ecosystem, is the most differentiating feature of GSL and an example for other PSUs to follow”. Unquote

 

He also added “Among all DPSUs, GSL’s performance in Exports is exemplary. All DPSUs should leverage the opportunity available in Exports if they want to grow further. DPSUs should further try to recognize and leverage huge knowledge treasure available in PSU ecosystem, through IPRs, for which MoD has launched Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti.” Secretary (DP) lauded RAdm Shekhar Mital, CMD, GSL who is due to retire this month on superannuation, said “Under the leadership of RAdm Mital, GSL has grown 3 times in revenues and 1000% in operational profits over last four years. Such growth is a rarity for any industry. He has taken shipyard to new heights and GSL has set new benchmarks for the whole shipbuilding industry.”

 

Shipyard’s workers led by Mr Kishor Shet felicitated Secretary (DP) on his maiden visit to GSL and assured him of maintaining the same culture of advance deliveries of ships, for new works awarded to GSL by MoD.

 

Later in the evening, Secretary (DP) inaugurated Foreign Specialist accommodation built at Chicalim at a cost of Rs 7 Crs, which will be utilized for forthcoming MCMV and Advanced Missile Frigate Project.