Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), through its Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL), supplied the complete quantity of specialized DMR‑249A grade steel plates for two key Indian Navy vessels—INS Ajay and INS Nistar. The deliveries underscore the strategic contribution of domestic steel manufacturing to India’s defence self‑reliance .
INS Ajay is the eighth and final Anti‑Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW‑SWC), built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE). Equipped with SAIL’s DMR‑grade steel, the vessel benefits from enhanced structural integrity and stealth capabilities.
INS Nistar, commissioned by Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL), is India’s first indigenously designed and constructed diving support vessel (DSV). Designed for submarine rescue, deep‑sea diving, and sustained patrolling, Nistar relies on DMR‑grade steel for robustness in demanding marine environments.
Developed by DMRL and produced at BSL, DMR‑249A is a low‑carbon micro‑alloyed steel notable for its high toughness, weldability, and low hydrogen content (<3 ppm), essential for avoiding defects like hairline cracks.
BSL has a proven track record in naval steel supply, having supplied DMR‑249A for projects including INS Vikrant, INS Vindhyagiri, INS Nilgiri, and INS Surat. These contributions align with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and reinforce the nation’s capability to meet critical defence requirements with homegrown materials.
