- India’s Trusted Shipbuilder Showcases Strength at Europe’s Premier Defence Expo
By Sangeeta Saxena
Athens. 07 May 2025. From Goa to Greece, Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) is making global waves at DEFEA 2025, Europe’s premier defence exhibition, where it is showcasing India’s naval shipbuilding prowess under the ‘Make in India’ banner. With a reputation for delivering quality ships on time, every time, GSL is reinforcing its status as India’s trusted shipbuilder while exploring international collaborations and expanding its footprint in global markets. The company is highlighting not only its engineering excellence but also the strength of its motivated workforce, reflecting a powerful blend of technological capability and human capital. At the Athens expo, GSL stands as a symbol of India’s growing maritime ambitions and its readiness to become a key player in the global defence supply chain.
At the heart of the Indian Pavilion at DEFEA 2025, held in Athens, Greece, Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) proudly showcased its naval shipbuilding expertise. As one of India’s most trusted public sector shipyards under the Ministry of Defence, GSL is well-known for its quality warship deliveries, timely execution, and technological advancements. Aviation & Defence Universe (ADU) caught up with Shashikant Shivaji Kamble, Head of Human Resource at GSL, to understand the company’s participation at DEFEA, its workforce strength, and vision for global presence.
ADU. Mr. Kamble, thank you for speaking with us. What brings Goa Shipyard to DEFEA 2025?
Shashikant Shivaji Kamble. Goa Shipyard is participating in DEFEA as part of the India Pavilion, alongside a few other reputed Indian defence companies. Our reputation in India is solid—we deliver quality ships on time and are well respected by the Ministry of Defence. This platform gives us the opportunity to present our capabilities to international markets and explore collaborations to push forward our journey towards Atmanirbhar Bharat, the Prime Minister’s vision for a self-reliant India.
ADU. Why did you choose DEFEA as a showcase event, particularly in the context of European markets like Greece?
Shashikant Shivaji Kamble. Greece and the broader European region present promising opportunities. While I’m not authorised to speak on our official market strategy, I can say that we certainly want to make our presence felt in Europe. It’s important for us to demonstrate that we are among India’s leading defence shipyards, capable of delivering excellence beyond our national borders.
ADU. How has your experience been over the past two days at the show?
Shashikant Shivaji Kamble. It has been very fruitful. We’ve interacted with many delegates who visited our stall and enquired about our systems. Several expressed interest in supporting us. Like India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, Greece is also promoting ‘Make in Greece’. That opens the door for potential collaborations in the future.
ADU. If Greece or another country proposes co-development under ‘Make in Greece’, is GSL open to local partnerships?
Shashikant Shivaji Kamble. That’s a strategic decision for our management. I cannot officially comment on it. However, showcasing our capabilities here is the first step toward such future collaborations.
ADU. You mentioned showcasing your strength. Could you elaborate on the focus areas for GSL?
Shashikant Shivaji Kamble. We are primarily a defence shipbuilder, although the commercial sector is a large market too. Right now, our hands are full with defence orders, but we remain open to expansion in future. Our focus remains on delivering high-quality warships within deadlines—something that sets us apart globally.
ADU. What makes GSL a reliable shipbuilder in your view?
Shashikant Shivaji Kamble. I’d say it’s the combination of our dedicated and motivated workforce, welfare-oriented policies, and a high employee satisfaction quotient. We don’t face any major industrial unrest. This positive environment translates into efficient and timely production of quality ships.
ADU. Are you currently involved in any international repair and maintenance contracts?
Shashikant Shivaji Kamble. As of now, our ship repair and maintenance operations are focused on the Indian Navy. We don’t yet have contracts with foreign navies, unlike some other private or public Indian shipyards. However, given the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean Region and global interest in alternate maintenance hubs away from China, it is certainly an area of potential for the future.
Goa Shipyard Limited’s presence at DEFEA 2025 underscores its growing ambition to expand its footprint in global defence markets. Backed by a strong workforce, timely deliveries, and a reputation for engineering excellence, GSL is paving the way for deeper collaboration and export potential. As India emerges as a key player in naval shipbuilding, GSL continues to showcase its readiness to partner with global allies and contribute to international maritime security.
As told to Sangeeta Saxena
