Defence Excellence Redefined: GRSE & Apollo Micro System Sign MoU to power Next-Gen Defence Innovation
Kolkata (January 29, 2025): Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with M/s Apollo Micro Systems Limited (AMS) to establish a strategic collaboration for the joint development and supply of Advanced Weapons and Electronic Systems on Wednesday, 29 January 2025. The MoU was signed by Cdr. Shantanu Bose, IN (Retd.), Director (Shipbuilding), GRSE & Shri Karunakar Reddy Baddam, Managing Director, AMS in the presence of Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE, DIG Subrato Ghosh, ICG (Retd), Director (Personnel), GRSE and other Senior Officials of GRSE and AMS.
The collaboration between GRSE & M/s AMS shall focus on the joint research and development (R&D), co-production, and supply of various categories of Underwater Weapons & Vehicles, Underwater mines, Underwater Communication Systems and Air Defence Systems to address the current and further requirements of the Indian Defence forces, Paramilitary Forces, Police Organisations, Central & State Govt. agencies, the Civil Sector and export markets.
This collaboration will leverage the core strengths of both organizations on leveraging and enhancing manufacturing infrastructure for components and sub-assemblies of these systems. The MoU also encompasses modernization and upgradation of existing systems to align with evolving operational requirements. Through this partnership, GRSE reinforces its commitment to strengthening indigenous capabilities and supporting the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
About GRSE:
The journey of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd., a premier Warship building Company in India, under the administrative control of Ministry of Defence, and a Schedule ‘A’ Mini Ratna Category I company, dates back to 1884 when it started its journey as a small workshop to repair vessels of River Steam Navigation Company. The Company was taken over by the Government of India in 1960. GRSE has the distinction of becoming the first shipyard of independent India to build a warship for Indian Navy, the Seaward Defence Boat (SDB) INS Ajay, way back in 1961. GRSE also built the first ever Indian Export Warship “CGS Barracuda” for Govt. of Mauritius, a Fast Patrol Vessel “SCG PS Zoroaster” for Seychelles and an Ocean-Going Cargo & Passenger Ferry Vessel “MV Ma Lisha” for Cooperative Republic of Guyana. The shipyard was conferred the status of a Miniratna Category I Company in 2006. GRSE has built over 790 platforms including 110 warships for Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and friendly foreign countries – highest warships built & delivered by any Indian shipyard till date. From Frigates, Corvettes, Fleet Tankers, Landing Ship Tank, Landing Craft Utility to Survey Vessels, Offshore Patrol Vessels and Fast Attack Craft – the repertoire is rich and varied. In addition to shipbuilding & ship repair, GRSE is also engaged in engine production and other engineering activities. The engineering division manufactures deck machinery items, pre-fabricated portable steel bridges and marine pumps. Noteworthy accolades include Raksha Mantri Award 2022 in Designing the most silent ship for Indian Navy for ASW operation, Defence Minister’s Award for Excellence for In-house Design Effort for Offshore Patrol Vessel for Government of Mauritius, CGS Barracuda, Best Performing Defence Shipyard of India for Four Years in a row. GRSE embraced infrastructure modernization over past decades and can undertake concurrent construction of 24 ships at a time. Team of highly skilled design engineers and state of art VR Lab & latest software aid in the in-house design capabilities. With proven credentials, the shipyard is on a growth path, reaffirming its motto “In Pursuit of Excellence and Quality in Shipbuilding.
