Sagar Defence to Establish India’s First Dedicated Autonomous Maritime Shipyard in AP

In a major milestone for India’s maritime and defence manufacturing ecosystem, the Andhra Pradesh Government has approved a proposal by Sagar Defence Engineering Private Limited to establish India’s first dedicated autonomous maritime shipyard and systems development centre at Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour in Bogole Mandal of SPSR Nellore district.

The project positions Andhra Pradesh as a key destination for next-generation maritime and autonomous systems development The proposed facility will be developed by Sagar Defence as a specialised shipyard focused exclusively on autonomous and unmanned maritime platforms. It is expected to generate employment for around 750 persons, including 300 direct and 450 indirect jobs, while strengthening the industrial and skills ecosystem in the coastal region of the State

Sagar Defence Engineering Private Limited is a leading Indian defence and maritime technology company specialising in autonomous and unmanned maritime systems, with established capabilities across autonomous surface vessels, underwater platforms and mission-critical maritime technologies. The company has built strong credentials within India’s defence and strategic ecosystem and is recognised for its emphasis on indigenous design, advanced systems integration and next-generation maritime solutions, aligned with national priorities such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and defence indigenisation..

An autonomous maritime shipyard is an advanced industrial facility designed for the construction, integration, testing and lifecycle support of unmanned and autonomous surface and underwater vessels, along with intelligent maritime systems, sensors and command-and-control technologies. Such shipyards are increasingly critical for modern maritime operations, enabling enhanced coastal surveillance, maritime domain awareness, offshore security and defence preparedness with minimal human intervention. The proposed shipyard at Juvvaladinne will support India’s growing focus on indigenous defence technologies and maritime self-reliance.

The government has approved the allotment of 29.58 acres of land at Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour to the project on a lease basis through the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board. The land parcel includes 7.58 acres of waterfront land and 22 acres of harbour land, providing direct sea access essential for shipbuilding, systems testing and deployment of autonomous maritime platforms .

As per the approved timelines, construction of the shipyard is scheduled to commence in December 2025, with machinery installation to be completed by June 2026. Trial production is planned for October 2026, followed by commencement of commercial operations in November 2026. The project will be supported through coordinated infrastructure provisioning by the concerned departments of the State Government .

The proposal was examined by the State Investment Promotion Committee (SIPC) and approved by the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) in its meeting held on December 4, 2025. Lease rent for the land will be levied at 6% of the fair market value, as determined by the District Collector, SPSR Nellore district, with an annual escalation of 5%, along with an additional premium for the waterfront land in accordance with Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board guidelines .