Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on April 3, 2026, laid the foundation stone of the ‘Large Cavitation Tunnel’ project at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam, calling it a major step toward strengthening India’s naval power and defence technology capabilities.
Boost to Indigenous Naval Research
The Defence Minister said the project will help position India as a global leader in naval technology and maritime strength, enhancing indigenous research and innovation.
Praise for NSTL’s Contributions
Rajnath Singh lauded NSTL for its pioneering work in:
- Torpedo systems
- Underwater mines
- Decoys
- Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs)
He also highlighted the importance of swarm technology and lithium-ion battery development for future warfare preparedness.
Strengthening Defence Capabilities
The Minister urged NSTL to continue contributing to the nation’s security infrastructure, stating that:
- Advanced technologies boost naval confidence and morale
- They significantly enhance operational efficiency of defence forces
Senior Defence Officials Present
The event was attended by top military leadership, including:
- Anil Chauhan
- Dinesh K Tripathi
- Sanjay Bhalla
Key Features of Large Cavitation Tunnel
The project is envisioned as a strategic national asset that will:
- Strengthen hydrodynamic research capabilities
- Support design and development of next-generation ships and submarines
- Enable advanced testing of underwater platforms
World-Class Testing Facility
The tunnel will offer:
- Closed-loop simulation
- Free-surface simulation
—both within a single setup, making it a globally unique infrastructure.
It will allow precise testing of:
- Destroyers
- Aircraft carriers
- Propulsion systems
Boost to Shipbuilding Ecosystem
Once operational, the facility will:
- Strengthen India’s shipbuilding ecosystem
- Enhance defence technology self-reliance
- Accelerate innovation in maritime engineering
