🗞️ Why in News India launched the indigenously built Cadet Training Ship (CTS) Krishna at L&T Shipbuilding, Kattupalli, Chennai on February 19, 2026 — the first of three planned training vessels for the Indian Navy. The ship was launched by Anupama Chauhan, President of the Defence Wives Welfare Association (DWWA), marking another milestone in India’s defence manufacturing indigenisation drive.

What is a Cadet Training Ship?

A Cadet Training Ship (CTS) is a dedicated naval vessel designed to train officer cadets in fundamental seamanship skills before they are posted to operational warships. Training covers:

  • Navigation (celestial, radar, electronic chart systems)
  • Seamanship (watchkeeping, line handling, boat operations, anchoring)
  • Ship handling (manoeuvring in ports and open seas)
  • Engineering (familiarisation with propulsion, damage control)
  • Leadership and discipline under real sea conditions

India’s earlier cadet training was partly conducted aboard INS Tir (a decommissioned vessel re-purposed for training) and through time aboard operational ships. A dedicated modern CTS fleet significantly improves training quality and capacity.

CTS Krishna — Specifications

Parameter Specification
Length 122 metres
Displacement 4,700 tonnes
Maximum Speed 20 knots (~37 km/h)
Endurance 60 days at sea
Named after River Krishna (India’s 3rd longest river)
Total CTS planned 3 ships
Builder L&T Shipbuilding, Kattupalli, Chennai

The vessel is equipped with modern navigation aids, a full complement of training simulators, accommodation for cadets, and a hospital facility. The 60-day endurance allows extended blue-water training voyages — critical for developing offshore seamanship skills.

L&T Shipbuilding — Private Sector in Defence

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) operates the Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai — one of India’s most modern private sector shipbuilding facilities. L&T Shipbuilding is part of the government’s broader push to involve private sector shipyards in naval construction alongside established state entities like:

  • Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) — Mumbai; P-75 submarines, destroyers
  • Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) — Kolkata; frigates, corvettes, survey vessels
  • Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) — Visakhapatnam; repair, patrol vessels

L&T’s Kattupalli yard received the CTS contract under India’s Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP 2020), which prioritises domestic procurement. The CTS programme is classified under ‘Buy Indian-IDDM’ (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) — the highest indigenisation category.

Naval Indigenisation: India’s Strategic Imperative

India’s defence procurement policy has undergone a major transformation since 2014. Key milestones:

2014–2026 progress:

  • INS Vikrant (Indigenous Aircraft Carrier-1): commissioned September 2022; built at Cochin Shipyard; 45,000 tonnes; first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier
  • P-75 Scorpene Submarines (Kalvari-class): 6 submarines built at MDL, Mumbai (with Naval Group, France); Project 75I (6 more with air-independent propulsion) in progress
  • INS Visakhapatnam (P-15B): First of 4 guided missile destroyers; commissioned November 2021; built at MDL
  • Advanced Torpedo Defence System (ATDS): Indigenous development by BEL
  • Kavach Chaff Rocket System: Indigenous electronic warfare, developed by DRDO/BEL

CTS programme in context: Previously India relied on ageing training ships and overseas training (at Royal Navy institutions and the Maritime Institute of Technology, France). The CTS programme ensures a self-reliant naval training ecosystem — 3 CTS vessels will provide dedicated training for ~250–300 officer cadets annually.

River Krishna — Why Named After It?

India’s naval vessels follow naming conventions:

  • Aircraft carriers: Named after historical rulers (Vikrant, Vikramaditya)
  • Destroyers and Frigates: Named after elements (Shivalik, Shakti, Sahyadri)
  • Submarines: Named after rivers and sea creatures (Kalvari — swordfish; Vagsheer — tiger shark)
  • Support vessels: Named after rivers (Deepak, Shakti, Jyoti) or geographic features
  • Training ships: Often named after rivers

River Krishna is the 3rd longest river in India (after Ganga and Godavari); originates at Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra; flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh; empties into the Bay of Bengal. Length: ~1,400 km. Major tributaries: Tungabhadra, Bhima, Musi.

India’s Naval Cadet Training System

Naval Academy at Ezhimala (Kerala): India’s premier naval officers’ training academy; established 2009; produces officers for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard; one of Asia’s largest naval academies. Cadets undergo 3 years of training including academic and physical training before onboard sea training.

Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala was built to replace the erstwhile INS Zamorin (previously Kochi Naval Base). Sea training aboard a modern CTS after INA graduation completes the basic officer training pipeline.

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: CTS Krishna — L&T Kattupalli, 122 m, 4,700 tonnes, 20 knots, 60-day endurance, River Krishna (3rd longest in India); DAP 2020 (Defence Acquisition Procedure); Buy Indian-IDDM category; INS Vikrant (September 2022); P-75 Scorpene submarines; MDL, GRSE, HSL (defence shipyards); Naval Academy Ezhimala, Kerala. Mains GS-3: India’s defence manufacturing; role of private sector (L&T, Tata Defence, Mahindra); DAP 2020 and indigenisation; defence exports (target $5 billion by FY2025); naval shipbuilding as strategic capability. Interview: "India has been indigenising its naval fleet for decades, yet still imports critical systems. Is ‘Make in India’ defence truly self-reliant, or strategically dependent on imported components?

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

CTS Krishna — Core Data:

  • Launched: February 19, 2026 | Builder: L&T Kattupalli, Chennai
  • Length: 122 m | Displacement: 4,700 tonnes | Speed: 20 knots | Endurance: 60 days
  • Named after: River Krishna (3rd longest in India; originates Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra)
  • Total CTS planned: 3 ships

Indian Naval Shipbuilders:

  • MDL (Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders), Mumbai — P-75 Scorpene submarines, P-15B destroyers
  • GRSE, Kolkata — Frigates, corvettes, LCUs
  • HSL, Visakhapatnam — Repair, patrol vessels
  • CSL (Cochin Shipyard) — INS Vikrant (IAC-1)
  • L&T Kattupalli — CTS, Coast Guard vessels

Naval Indigenisation Milestones:

  • INS Vikrant: Commissioned September 2, 2022 | 45,000 tonnes | First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier
  • INS Visakhapatnam (P-15B): Commissioned November 21, 2021
  • Scorpene submarines (P-75): 6 of 6 commissioned (Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj, Vela, Vagir, Vagsheer)

River Krishna Data:

  • Originates: Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra (at 1,337 m altitude)
  • Length: ~1,400 km | Flows through: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
  • Drains into: Bay of Bengal (near Hamasaladeevi, Andhra Pradesh)
  • Major tributaries: Tungabhadra, Bhima, Musi, Mallaprabha, Ghataprabha

Naval Academy:

  • Location: Ezhimala, Kerala | Established: 2009 | India’s premier naval officer training institution

Other Relevant Facts:

  • DAP 2020: Defence Acquisition Procedure — prioritises ‘Buy Indian-IDDM’, ‘Buy Indian’, ‘Buy and Make Indian’ over foreign procurement
  • Defence indigenisation target: 68% of defence capital outlay to domestic industry
  • Defence exports: India achieved ~₹21,083 crore (~USD 2.5 billion) in FY2023-24; target USD 5 billion by 2028

Sources: PIB, AffairsCloud