Rajnath Singh lays foundation stone of tunnel in Visakhapatnam to boost naval research
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Large Cavitation Tunnel (LCT) facility at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam.
The facility, being developed under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is expected to significantly enhance indigenous capabilities in designing, developing and testing advanced naval systems, including ships and submarines.
Addressing scientists and researchers, the Defence Minister said the project would help India reduce dependence on foreign facilities for critical testing and position the country as a strong naval power and a leader in defence technology. He noted that the tunnel would play a crucial role in advancing propulsion systems, reducing noise levels, and strengthening stealth capabilities – key aspects of modern naval warfare.
Describing the project as a step towards the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, Singh emphasised that self-reliance in defence technology is closely linked to national security. He credited the combined efforts of industry, academia, MSMEs and researchers for strengthening indigenous capabilities.
Key Role in Naval Innovation
The Large Cavitation Tunnel is conceived as a strategic national asset aimed at hydrodynamic research. Once operational, it will support the development of next-generation ships, submarines and underwater platforms by enabling precise testing and validation of designs.
The facility will be globally unique in its ability to conduct both closed-loop simulations for submarine studies and free surface simulations for surface ships within a single integrated system. It is expected to strengthen India’s shipbuilding ecosystem, including the development of advanced platforms such as destroyers and aircraft carriers.
Demonstration of Advanced Technologies
During his visit, Singh reviewed various ongoing projects at NSTL and witnessed demonstrations of advanced underwater systems, including torpedoes, naval mines, decoys and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).
A live demonstration of swarm technology involving man-portable AUVs highlighted India’s growing capabilities in autonomous maritime operations and next-generation underwater warfare.
The Defence Minister also inspected technologies developed as spin-offs and appreciated ongoing work in areas such as lithium-ion battery development, calling them vital for future defence preparedness.
Strengthening Naval Capabilities
Singh commended NSTL for its contributions to research in torpedo systems, underwater mines, and other naval technologies, stating that such advancements enhance the operational effectiveness of the armed forces.
He urged scientists and personnel to continue their efforts in strengthening India’s defence infrastructure, noting that robust and reliable technologies significantly boost the confidence and morale of naval personnel deployed at sea.
The event was attended by several top defence officials, including Anil Chauhan, Dinesh K Tripathi and Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, along with senior scientists from DRDO.
