KOLKATA: In a significant push for defence and maritime self-reliance, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd., a leading warship builder and Miniratna PSU, has entered a strategic partnership with M/s K2 Cranes & Components Pvt Ltd. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on Wednesday, is aimed at the indigenous design, development, and manufacture of advanced cranes for marine, defence, and shipyard applications.
Key Details of the Partnership:
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Objective: To establish a domestic ecosystem for manufacturing specialised cranes, reducing import dependency and capturing global market opportunities under the 'Make in India, Make for the World' vision.
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Scope: The collaboration will cover cranes and associated equipment used in naval vessels, commercial ships, and shipbuilding/repair yards.
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Signatories: The MoU was signed by Cmde MS Ramesh Menon, Chief General Manager of GRSE, and Shri M Udayakumar, Managing Director of K2 Cranes. The signing was witnessed by GRSE's top leadership, including Cmde PR Hari, Chairman and Managing Director.
Strategic Importance & GRSE's Diversification:
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Atmanirbharta in Defence: This move directly strengthens India's strategic autonomy by indigenising a critical component used in shipbuilding and naval operations.
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Business Diversification: While warship building remains its core, GRSE continues to expand its engineering portfolio. The company is already a market leader in modular steel bridges, with over 5,900 units supplied worldwide.
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Export Potential: Indigenously developed cranes will position the partnership to serve not only Indian defence and maritime sectors but also international clients, generating foreign revenue.
Leadership Commentary:
"*This partnership with K2 Cranes is a strategic step in line with our nation's self-reliance goals. By combining GRSE's engineering prowess and shipbuilding expertise with K2's specialised knowledge, we aim to create a world-class, indigenous supply line for critical crane technology, serving both domestic and global markets,*" said a GRSE official.
This initiative marks another forward-looking step by GRSE to leverage its engineering capabilities beyond shipbuilding, contributing to India's industrial and defence manufacturing base.