NEW DELHI : The National Maritime Foundation (NMF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to promote research and policy-oriented collaboration on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in India’s maritime, security and defence sectors.
The MoU was signed by Vice Admiral Pradeep Chauhan, AVSM & Bar, VSM (Retd), Director-General, National Maritime Foundation, and Mr. Pankaj Chadha, ndc, Executive Vice President & Head, Marine Platform, Equipment & Systems (MPES), L&T Precision Engineering & Systems.
The partnership brings together NMF’s expertise in maritime affairs, strategic studies and policy research with L&T’s extensive capabilities in engineering, defence manufacturing, marine platforms and advanced technological solutions.
The collaboration is aimed at facilitating research, knowledge exchange and informed policy dialogue on the evolving role of private enterprise in strengthening India’s maritime and national security ecosystem. It will examine opportunities and challenges associated with greater private-sector participation in strategic maritime and defence domains.
The partnership is particularly relevant as India continues to strengthen its domestic maritime and defence capabilities, promote indigenous manufacturing and build a more resilient ecosystem involving government institutions, public-sector organisations, academia and private industry.
Through joint research and engagement, the two organisations will seek to develop policy-relevant insights and recommendations that can contribute to strengthening Public-Private Partnership frameworks and encouraging greater industry participation in critical maritime and defence initiatives.
The MoU reflects a shared commitment to advancing India’s maritime interests while fostering closer cooperation between strategic research institutions and private industry. It also underscores the importance of collaborative approaches in addressing emerging challenges at the intersection of maritime security, defence, technology and industrial capability.
The partnership is expected to contribute to a deeper understanding of how effective public-private collaboration can support India’s aspirations for a strong, self-reliant and globally competitive maritime and defence ecosystem.
The MoU marks another step towards strengthening the interface between research, policymaking and private enterprise, supporting the development of innovative and sustainable approaches to India’s maritime security and defence requirements.
