Defence-grade steel for three newly commissioned Navy vessels supplied by SAIL

New Delhi: Three units of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), including the Rourkela Steel Plant in Odisha, supplied the entire requirement of 5,700 tonnes of special defence-grade steel used in three recently commissioned Indian Navy vessels, an official statement said on Wednesday.

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The three SAIL facilities at Rourkela, Bokaro and Bhilai supplied the steel for the advanced stealth frigate INS Dunagiri, the anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft INS Agray and the survey vessel (large) INS Sanshodhak, it said.

The vessels were commissioned into the Indian Navy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a ceremony held at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata on June 21.

The statement said SAIL has emerged as a key contributor to India's defence indigenisation efforts through the production of specialised steel for critical naval platforms.

To meet the growing requirements of the defence sector, the company enhanced the production capacity of DMR-grade steel plates, particularly at the special plate plant of the Rourkela Steel Plant, it said.

The move has contributed to reducing dependence on imports of defence-grade steel, the statement added.

SAIL had earlier supplied specialised steel for the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and Project 17A stealth frigates INS Nilgiri, INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri.

Its defence-grade steel has also been used in several other naval platforms, including INS Ajay, INS Nistar and INS Anjadeep, it said.

"The successful induction of these advanced warships marks a significant milestone in India's maritime capabilities and self-reliance efforts," the statement said.

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SAIL Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Ashok Kumar Panda said the company remains committed to supporting the country's defence manufacturing ecosystem.

"The supply of high-strength DMR 249A steel plates reflects our technological capabilities and commitment to India's strategic self-reliance," Panda said.

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