**Executive Summary**
On April 03, 2026, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Large Cavitation Tunnel (LCT) at the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam. This strategic project aims to bolster indigenous hydrodynamic research and testing capabilities for next-generation naval platforms, reducing reliance on foreign testing facilities. The initiative is a key step toward achieving "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" and enhancing India’s status as a leader in maritime defence technology.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Facility and Project Overview**
* The LCT is a strategic national asset designed for the development and testing of next-generation ships, submarines, and underwater platforms.
* The project is being executed in a turnkey mode through a combination of international technical collaboration and indigenous innovation.
* The facility will enable India to design, develop, and test complex systems indigenously using its own resources.
**Technical Capabilities**
* The tunnel will be a globally unique infrastructure capable of conducting both closed-loop simulations for submarines and free surface simulations for surface ships in a single setup.
* It provides a foundational backbone for noise reduction efforts and the enhancement of stealth capabilities in naval vessels.
* The facility will allow for the precise validation of propulsion systems and hydrodynamic designs for major platforms, including aircraft carriers and destroyers.
**Broader Naval Research and Development**
* NSTL continues to set benchmarks in the development of torpedo systems, naval mines, decoys, and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).
* Recent advancements include the demonstration of swarm technology for man-portable AUVs and ongoing research into lithium-ion battery development for future warfare.
* Spin-off technologies have been successfully realized through the Naval Systems Materials cluster labs following Operation Sindoor.
**Impact Analysis**
**Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) / DRDO**
**Impact**
The laboratory gains a critical infrastructure backbone, allowing researchers to perform complex testing indigenously rather than seeking assistance from foreign facilities.
**Action Required**
The NSTL must continue to focus on nation-building by bolstering security infrastructure and advancing research in propulsion, stealth, and battery technologies.
**The Indian Navy**
**Impact**
The Navy will benefit from highly reliable, robust, and technologically advanced platforms, which will significantly enhance operational effectiveness and the morale of sailors at sea.
**Action Required**
The naval leadership is expected to integrate these next-generation indigenous technologies and validated designs into the national security apparatus.
**Domestic Industry, MSMEs, and Academia**
**Impact**
These stakeholders are recognized as essential contributors to the success of the "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" initiative within the defence sector.
**Action Required**
They must maintain concerted efforts to innovate and support the development of indigenous equipment, systems, and sub-systems for the maritime domain.
Key Entities Referenced
Large Cavitation Tunnel (LCT): A strategic national asset and facility designed for hydrodynamic research and the indigenous testing of next-generation ships, submarines, and underwater platforms.
Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL): A premium DRDO laboratory in Visakhapatnam focused on naval research and the host institution for the state-of-the-art LCT facility.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO): The primary agency under the Ministry of Defence responsible for developing indigenous military technologies and overseeing the LCT project.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: The national initiative for self-reliance which serves as the core policy driver for indigenously designing and testing naval defense systems.
Shri Rajnath Singh: The Union Minister of Defence (Raksha Mantri) who laid the foundation stone and highlighted the project's strategic impact on naval power.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri lays foundation stone of Large
Cavitation Tunnel at NSTL, Visakhapatnam to
boost naval research & testing capabilities
The project will position India as a strong naval power &
leader in defence technology: Shri Rajnath Singh
Posted On: 03 APR 2026 8:13PM by PIB Delhi
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, on April 03, 2026, laid the foundation stone of the state-of-the-art
Large Cavitation Tunnel (LCT) facility at the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), a
premium laboratory of DRDO in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The facility will significantly enhance
India’s naval research and testing capabilities, marking a major step towards achieving technological self-
reliance.Addressing scientists, researchers, and personnel at NSTL, Raksha Mantri asserted that India, with this
initiative, will be able to design, develop and test its equipment, systems & sub-systems indigenously
utilising its own resources, position itself as a strong naval power & a leader in defence technology.
“Until now, even after successfully developing equipment, systems, and sub-systems, we often had to look
abroad for critical testing. This situation will now change. This facility is not merely an infrastructure
project, but an enabling system, which will strengthen our capabilities in advancing propulsion systems,
enable focused efforts on noise reduction and further strengthen stealth capabilities. It will serve as a
foundational backbone for the design and development of submarines & ships, supporting future
advancements in naval engineering and maritime defence systems,” he said.
Shri Rajnath Singh described the project as a symbol of the success of Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Modi’s resolve of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He stated that the Government’s determination to make India self-
reliant is intrinsically linked to the national security apparatus, and despite challenges, the country has
achieved complete Aatmanirbharta in various sectors due to the concerted efforts of the domestic industry,
academia, MSMEs, youth, and researchers.
During the visit, Raksha Mantri was briefed about the NSTL projects/programmes by the Secretary,
Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat.Shri Rajnath Singh also visited the Seakeeping and Manoeuvring Basin, where he witnessed an impressive
display of advanced underwater systems, including torpedoes, naval mines, decoys, and autonomous
underwater vehicles (AUVs).
A live demonstration of a swarm of man-portable AUVs showcased India’s growing prowess in
autonomous maritime operations and next-generation underwater warfare technologies, underlining the
nation’s focus on future-ready defence systems. Raksha Mantri also inspected some of the vital products
realised as spin-off technologies by the Naval Systems Materials cluster labs post Operation Sindoor.
Shri Rajnath Singh commended NSTL for carrying out research and setting benchmarks in a number of
areas, including torpedo systems, underwater mines, decoys, and AUVs, while propelling India forward on
the path to becoming a formidable naval power. He also acknowledged the demonstration of swarm
technology and ongoing work in lithium-ion battery development, calling them crucial for future warfare
preparedness.Raksha Mantri urged NSTL to continue working with dedication towards nation-building by bolstering the
security infrastructure of the country. "The systems and technologies boost the confidence and morale of
sailors deployed at sea. Reliable and robust technological support significantly enhances the operational
effectiveness of the defence forces," he said.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag
Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla and other senior
officials were present on the occasion.
About Large Cavitation Tunnel
Conceived as a strategic national asset, the project is a significant step in strengthening indigenous
capabilities in hydrodynamic research, aimed at supporting the design and development of next-generation
ships, submarines and underwater platforms. The project, sanctioned by the Government and being
executed in turnkey mode with international technical collaboration, reflects a seamless blend of global
expertise and indigenous innovation.The facility is poised to emerge as a globally unique infrastructure with its capability to conduct both
closed-loop simulations essential for submarine studies and free surface simulations critical for surface
ship research within a single integrated setup. Once operational, it will significantly enhance the country’s
shipbuilding ecosystem by enabling precise validation of hydrodynamic designs and propulsion systems
for major naval platforms, including destroyers and aircraft carriers.
VK/Savvy/SS
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