Kolkata-based Gardenrich Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) has successfully conducted the first sea trial of indigenous 30 mm Naval Surface Gun for the Indian Navy. The test was conducted using indigenous electro optical fire control system. The test was conducted on an anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft designed and built by GRSE, which is a milestone for the company.

Warship builder Defence PSU Gardenrich Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata has now stepped into the field of weapon manufacturing and achieved a major milestone by successfully sea testing the first indigenously built 30 mm Naval Surface Gun (NSG) for the Indian Navy.

This information was given by the company in an official statement on Thursday. It was told that it was successfully tested with accurate targeting using indigenous electro-optical fire control system.

The successful sea trials conducted on one of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) designed and built by GRSE is a milestone for GRSE, which is moving towards becoming a competent weapons manufacturing company besides being a shipbuilder for the country, a company official said.

The official said that this significant achievement has been made possible by a very strong collaboration between GRSE and M/s BHSEL (Hyderabad) as well as M/s Elbit Systems Land, who are the technology and production partners for the gun project. The Indian Navy had placed the first order for 10 indigenous Naval Surface Guns of 30 mm with GRSE.

This surface gun is used in warships and is very powerful. The 30mm naval surface gun will be primarily installed as a primary weapon on smaller ships and as a secondary weapon on larger ships to deal with fast moving surface threats/targets.

The officer said that this surface gun has undergone rigorous quality checks at the factory before extensive sea trials with firing on live targets. The gun system is highly accurate and reliable and will prove to be an extremely powerful addition to the Indian Navy’s arsenal of technologically superior weapon systems. GRSE Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Commodore PR Hari expressed pride in its range of products from warships to weapons. The company says that now we are capable of making not only warships but also indigenous weapons.

The official said that in its efforts towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing, GRSE has undertaken an ambitious project for indigenisation of technologically advanced weapon systems like 30 mm naval surface gun. For this, the company has set up a new business segment which will manufacture and supply naval guns equipped with electro-optical fire control system for the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.