Sagar Defence Engineering Limited has received an industrial licence to manufacture surface and underwater vessels for military use, sources told Chakra News. The approval allows the deep-tech defence start-up to undertake the design, manufacture, construction, integration, assembly, testing and supply of specified naval defence platforms, subject to applicable regulations.

The licence places Sagar Defence Engineering among a small group of private Indian companies authorised to manufacture vessels for military users, including the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. The development comes as India seeks greater private sector participation in naval defence manufacturing and indigenous development of military platforms.

The latest approval adds to the company’s growing defence manufacturing portfolio. Earlier this year, Sagar Defence Engineering also received an industrial licence for the manufacture of specified arms, explosives and ammunition. That approval covered a separate category from the latest licence for surface and underwater vessels.

“This is a significant milestone,” said the company’s founder and chairman Capt. Nikunj Parashar. He said the licence would strengthen the company’s ability to participate in specific strategic projects. The company can now expand its role in the naval defence sector, subject to applicable regulatory approvals and licence conditions.

Sagar Defence Engineering has been associated with maritime and unmanned systems since its inception. The Maharashtra-based deep-tech start-up develops autonomous and unmanned marine and aerial systems for defence and commercial applications. This latest licence could allow it to capitalise on these capabilities and contribute to indigenous surface and underwater naval systems.

Savio Rodrigues

Savio Rodrigues is a Research Analyst at Escape Velocity MediaWorks Pvt Ltd and writes for Chakra News on Defence, Geopolitics, National Security. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Mumbai.