Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for a cutting-edge Large Cavitation Tunnel (LCT) facility at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory in Visakhapatnam on April 3, 2026, marking a significant milestone in strengthening India’s indigenous naval research and testing capabilities.
The project is being developed under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is designed to enhance India’s ability to conduct advanced hydrodynamic research domestically. The facility will allow scientists and engineers to design, test, and validate critical naval technologies within the country, reducing reliance on foreign infrastructure for high-end testing.
Speaking at the event, Singh highlighted that India had previously depended on overseas facilities for certain stages of testing, even after successfully developing systems. With the establishment of the LCT, that dependency is expected to end, enabling full-cycle indigenous development of naval systems. He emphasised that the facility would play a crucial role in submarine and ship design, propulsion efficiency, stealth enhancement, and noise reduction—key factors in modern naval warfare.
The Defence Minister described the project as a cornerstone of the government’s self-reliance initiative, linking it to the broader vision of technological independence and national security. He credited contributions from domestic industries, academic institutions, MSMEs, researchers, and young innovators in driving India’s defence capabilities forward.
During his visit, Singh was briefed by Samir V Kamat on ongoing research projects and developments. He also toured advanced testing facilities, including the Seakeeping and Manoeuvring Basin, where technologies such as torpedoes, underwater mines, decoys, and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) were demonstrated.
A notable highlight was a live demonstration of swarm-enabled, man-portable AUVs, showcasing India’s growing expertise in autonomous maritime systems and next-generation underwater operations. Singh noted that advancements in areas like swarm intelligence and lithium-ion battery systems would be vital for future combat readiness and operational efficiency at sea.
Senior defence leadership, including Anil Chauhan and Dinesh K Tripathi, were present at the event.
Conceived as a strategic national asset, the LCT facility will integrate both closed-loop simulations for submarine analysis and free-surface simulations for surface ships within a single system. Once operational, it is expected to significantly strengthen India’s shipbuilding ecosystem by enabling precise testing and validation of designs for major naval platforms such as destroyers and aircraft carriers, further advancing the country’s position as a self-reliant maritime power.
