Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar dedicated to the nation the ‘Seakeeping and Manoeuvring Basin (SMB)’ during a function held at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam, on November 14, 2015. Admiral R.K. Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff, and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Director General of DRDO Dr S. Christopher were also present at the ceremoney. The Minister also handed over Maareech—advanced torpedo defence system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to the Indian Navy.

Set up as a joint effort of DRDO and the Indian Navy, SMB facility is one of its kind in the country. The facility puts India among the few nations in the world having the capability to undertake comprehensive hydrodynamic model testing of naval platforms and weapon systems. SMB would help to design and build state-of-the-art naval combatants such as submarines, ships, torpedoes, etc.

Maareech, a joint project of the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi, and NSTL Visakhapatnam is a state-of-the-art indigenous system for torpedo detection and countermeasures. This system offers a complete solution to detect and locate the incoming torpedo and to apply countermeasures to protect naval platform against torpedo attack. Two production grade Maareech systems have been developed and user evaluation trials completed onboard two Indian Navy ships.

Complementing the vital role of DRDO towards self-reliance and promoting ‘Make in India’ efforts, the Defence Minister said the development of complex system – Maareech—is an excellent model of synergy between DRDO, Indian Navy, public and private industries, demonstrating yet another milestone in ‘Make in India’ programme.