The Union Cabinet has accorded approval to sign a contract with Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) for the acquisition of three Cadet Training Ships, at an overall cost of Rs 3,108.09 crore, under the Buy {Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)} category. The delivery of ships is scheduled to commence in 2026.

These ships will cater to the training of officer cadets, including women, at sea after their basic training to meet the future requirements of the Indian Navy. The ships would also provide training to cadets from friendly countries with the aim to strengthen diplomatic relations. The ships can also be deployed for evacuation of people and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).

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The ships will be indigenously designed, developed and constructed at L&T shipyard in Kattupalli, Chennai.

The project will generate employment of 22.5 lakh man-days over a period of four-and-half years. This will encourage the active participation of Indian shipbuilding and associated industries, including MSMEs.

With the majority of the equipment and systems sourced from indigenous manufacturers, these vessels will be proud flag bearers of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in consonance with the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the government.