Indian Navy launches first cadet training ship

February 17, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The first of three cadet training ships (CTS), Yard 18003 Krishna, has been launched at L&T, Kattupalli shipyard in Chennai.

As informed, the launching ceremony took place on February 13, 2026. The vessel was launched by Anupama Chauhan in keeping with naval tradition, in the presence of Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defense Staff.

Indigenously designed and built by L&T, the ship is scheduled for formal delivery to the navy by the end of 2026.

Once commissioned, the CTS will provide at-sea training for officer cadets following their initial shore-based instruction. The platform is also intended to host trainees from friendly foreign countries, supporting India’s growing defence cooperation and outreach efforts.

The launch represents another milestone in the navy’s broader drive to strengthen domestic shipbuilding capability. Officials linked the program to national industrial initiatives that aim to expand indigenous design, production and technological capacity across the defense sector.

The remaining two Cadet Training Ships under construction are expected to follow in sequence, further enhancing the navy’s long-term officer training pipeline.