Andhra Pradesh is set to witness another major industrial development as IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh will lay the foundation stone on Thursday for a prestigious defence manufacturing project in Juvvaladinne of Bogole mandal in Nellore district. The project will be developed by Sagar Defence Engineering Private Limited with the support of the state government and is expected to strengthen India’s indigenous defence manufacturing and maritime technology capabilities.
The company plans to establish the world’s first Autonomous Maritime Shipyard and Systems Centre at the Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour. The facility aims to advance cutting-edge maritime technologies while also contributing to the development of the coastal economy and strengthening India’s defence preparedness. The project is expected to become a key milestone in the country’s maritime and defence manufacturing ecosystem.
According to officials, the upcoming centre will focus on building autonomous maritime vessels and advanced maritime systems. It will also support research, development, engineering and integration of intelligent maritime technologies. The facility will be designed as a self-sufficient autonomous shipyard that can manufacture and test unmanned surface vessels and underwater systems used in modern naval operations.
The Andhra Pradesh government has allotted 29.58 acres of land on lease basis at the Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour for the project, including 7.58 acres of waterfront land. The strategic coastal location is expected to support shipbuilding activities and marine technology development. Officials say the project will also strengthen the industrial and skill ecosystem along the state’s coastline while enhancing coastal monitoring, maritime security and defence readiness.
In the first phase, Sagar Defence Engineering will invest ₹45 crore to establish the facility. The project is expected to generate more than 750 employment opportunities for young professionals in areas such as shipbuilding, marine engineering, autonomous systems development, research and advanced technology manufacturing.
The Mumbai-based company is known for its expertise in unmanned marine surface vehicles and works closely with the Indian Navy, the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, and other security agencies. The new centre will support the design, development, integration, testing and lifecycle maintenance of advanced maritime platforms.
Industry experts say the project will play a key role in promoting India’s blue economy, encouraging maritime innovation and positioning Andhra Pradesh as a major hub for maritime robotics and autonomous shipbuilding technologies. With commercial operations expected to begin by November 2026, the initiative is likely to bring significant technological capability, investment and employment to the region.
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