Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with K2 Cranes & Components Pvt Ltd to jointly design, develop and manufacture cranes and associated equipment for marine, defence and shipyard applications. The collaboration supports India’s push for self-reliance and aligns with the national “Make in India, Make for the World” initiative.
The MoU was signed by Cmde Ramesh Menon MS (Retd), Chief General Manager (BB&DEP), GRSE, and M Udayakumar, Managing Director, K2 Cranes & Components Pvt Ltd, in the presence of GRSE Chairman and Managing Director Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd), along with members of the company’s board and senior leadership from both organisations.
Under the agreement, GRSE and K2 Cranes will explore opportunities for indigenous design and manufacturing of cranes used in defence, marine and shipyard environments. The partnership aims to reduce reliance on imported equipment while creating products that can also be offered to international customers. By combining GRSE’s engineering and manufacturing expertise with K2 Cranes’ specialised know-how, the initiative is expected to unlock new business opportunities in India and overseas markets.
While warship construction remains GRSE’s core activity, the company has steadily diversified into engineering products. GRSE is a leader in modular steel bridges and has delivered more than 5,900 bridges to domestic and global clients, in addition to deck machinery and other industrial equipment.
Founded in 1884, GRSE has evolved into one of India’s leading shipyards. Since becoming a government enterprise in 1960, the company has delivered over 800 platforms, including 114 warships – the highest number by any Indian shipbuilder. Its portfolio includes a diverse range of vessels, such as frigates, corvettes, patrol vessels, and amphibious ships.
GRSE was the first Indian shipyard to build a warship for the Indian Navy — the INS Ajay in 1961 — and has since delivered export warships to countries like Mauritius, Seychelles, and Guyana. The company also manufactures pre-fabricated steel bridges, marine diesel engines, and deck machinery.
With four dedicated shipbuilding facilities, GRSE is uniquely positioned to handle large-scale and concurrent ship construction. The shipyard features modern infrastructure, advanced design capabilities, and a team of skilled engineers supported by virtual reality tools and digital platforms.
Over the years, GRSE has been recognized with multiple honours, including the Defence Minister’s Award for designing one of the most silent ships for anti-submarine operations and being named Best Performing Defence Shipyard of India for four consecutive years. With this new partnership, GRSE continues to move forward in its mission to integrate advanced technologies and expand India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem.
