Visakhapatnam, April 3. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on April 3 laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Large Cavitation Tunnel (LCT) at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), a premier facility of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Visakhapatnam. The upcoming infrastructure is expected to significantly boost India’s naval research, design and testing capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign facilities for critical validation of naval systems.
Addressing scientists and personnel at NSTL, Singh said the new facility would enable India to design, develop and test key naval equipment, systems and sub-systems indigenously. He noted that even after developing advanced technologies domestically, India had often relied on overseas facilities for specialised testing – a gap the LCT aims to bridge.
Describing the project as a major enabler rather than merely an infrastructure addition, the Defence Minister said it would support advancements in propulsion systems, noise reduction and stealth technologies, forming a backbone for future submarine and warship design. He linked the initiative to the government’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) vision.
During the visit, Singh was briefed on ongoing projects by DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat. He also toured NSTL’s Seakeeping and Manoeuvring Basin, where he witnessed displays of advanced underwater systems including torpedoes, naval mines, decoys and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).
A live demonstration of a swarm of man-portable AUVs highlighted India’s growing capabilities in autonomous maritime operations and next-generation underwater warfare. The Defence Minister also reviewed products developed as spin-offs by naval materials research clusters following Operation Sindoor.
Singh commended NSTL’s contributions in underwater weapons, AUV technologies and lithium-ion battery development, stressing that such systems enhance the confidence and operational effectiveness of naval personnel deployed at sea. He urged scientists to continue strengthening India’s maritime defence preparedness through innovation and indigenous research.
Senior military leadership, including Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Dinesh K Tripathi and Eastern Naval Command chief Sanjay Bhalla, were present on the occasion.
A strategic national asset
The Large Cavitation Tunnel is being developed as a strategic national asset to strengthen indigenous hydrodynamic research for next-generation ships, submarines and underwater platforms. Executed in turnkey mode with international technical collaboration, the facility will combine global expertise with domestic innovation.
Uniquely, the LCT will support both closed-loop simulations required for submarine studies and free-surface simulations essential for surface ships within a single integrated setup. Once operational, it is expected to enhance India’s shipbuilding ecosystem by enabling precise validation of hydrodynamic designs and propulsion systems for major naval platforms, including destroyers and aircraft carriers.
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