Vice Admiral Paras Nath shares Crown Group Defence’s milestones, achievements, and future roadmap in this conversation.
Under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” and “Make in India” programmes, India’s defence industry is evolving quickly, with a focus on indigenisation, advanced technology, and self-reliance. Among the key players driving this change is Crown Group Defence, a New Delhi-headquartered conglomerate that has been a trusted partner to the Indian Navy, DRDO, and major shipyards for more than four decades.
Founded in 1978, Crown Group has built strong expertise through its five specialised companies in aerospace, marine, electronics, and AI-driven infrastructure. The Group recently showcased its end-to-end capabilities at Aero India 2025 and the Maritime India Conference 2025, bringing new developments in indigenous MRO, cyber-defence, and AI-powered surveillance systems.
At the helm is Vice Admiral Paras Nath (Retd) AVSM, VSM, Group President, Crown Group Defence, who is leading the company’s efforts to expand fleet support, naval weapons, avionics, and reverse engineering. In this conversation, he shares key milestones, achievements, and the Group’s future roadmap.
Crown Group has been a trusted strategic partner to the Indian Navy, DRDO, and major shipyards since 1978. Could you elaborate on the key milestones and achievements that have solidified this trust over the past decades?
Crown Group has supported the Indian Navy since 1978, forging strong ties with major OEMs and shipyards. Our Marine Division has contributed to crucial naval projects, including platforms 11335.6, 61ME, 1241 PE, 266ME, and 877 EKM.
Recent highlights include the successful repair and maintenance of an EKM submarine by Dynatron Services and OSK India, following earlier work on the INS Vikramaditya’s guarantee refit. Dynatron is now proposing guarantee refits for two new 1135.6 platforms, while OSK India has entered into technology transfer agreements to boost local manufacturing.
These efforts reflect our enduring commitment and trusted partnership with India’s maritime defence sector.
With five specialised companies spanning aerospace, marine, electronics, and AI-driven infrastructure, how does Crown Group ensure synergy and integrated solutions across these diverse verticals to meet the complex demands of the defence sector?
Crown Group achieves synergy among its five specialised companies by fostering close collaboration and forming cross-functional teams for projects across aerospace, marine, electronics, and AI infrastructure. For instance, OIPL maintains electronic components for the Army in Agra, while PCPL, since 2018, has provided authorised sales and service for Russian-origin tanks and indigenised T-90 cooling systems under government direction.
PCPL’s upcoming armoured vehicle simulators and plans to expand into MRO for armoured platforms further support the Make in India initiative. Regular cross-divisional teams coordinate on solutions such as drones, night vision equipment, and simulators, ensuring seamless integration to meet the defence sector’s complex demands.
The ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ missions are central to India’s defence strategy. How is Crown Group directly contributing to these initiatives, and what specific projects or capabilities exemplify your commitment to defence self-reliance?
Crown Group is fully aligned with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ missions through active localisation and indigenous capability development. We have set up avionics repair facilities and are advancing towards domestic overhaul of various aircraft. We are also establishing a PCB assembly unit and are in the process of securing an industrial licence to manufacture drones in India.
Our Marine Division, comprising Dynatron Services Pvt Ltd (DSPL) and OSK India Pvt Ltd (OIPL), is driving indigenisation across systems such as Integrated Bridge Systems, Kasatka and Karat-E firefighting units, and night vision devices. OIPL is currently pursuing an MoU to manufacture indigenous content for upcoming naval platforms expected under Indian Navy orders.
Additionally, our ongoing ship and submarine MRO work through DSPL and OIPL plays a critical role in sustaining indigenous readiness. These combined efforts highlight Crown Group’s deep-rooted commitment to advancing defence self-reliance.
At Aero India 2025 and the Maritime India Conference 2025, Crown Group unveiled advancements in indigenous MRO, cyber-defence, and AI-integrated surveillance systems. Could you provide more details on these advancements and their potential impact on India’s defence capabilities?
At the Maritime India Conference 2025, Crown Group’s Dynatron Services Pvt Ltd (DSPL) signed an MoU with Square Port Shipyard Pvt Ltd (SPSPL) in Dhabhol, a strategic step towards expanding indigenous MRO capabilities for existing and future naval platforms. A joint venture is also in the pipeline to further scale this initiative.
In parallel, Punj Corporation Pvt Ltd (PCPL) is actively supporting the overhaul of T-72 and T-90 tank engines in collaboration with Russian OEMs, ensuring technical support, quality certification, and spares for the next decade. PCPL has also responded to the Indian Army’s RFI for tank MRO projects.
On the technology front, Crown Group is developing AI-integrated surveillance platforms capable of fusing sensor data from UAVs, ships, and radar systems to deliver a unified, ML-enhanced operational view for commanders. Cyber-defence tools are also being developed as part of our commitment to digital readiness.
Together, these advancements reflect our drive to accelerate indigenisation, deepen OEM collaborations, and strengthen India’s multi-domain defence capabilities.
In the realm of MRO, what unique approaches or technologies does Crown Group employ to enhance efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and ensure the operational readiness of critical defence assets?
Crown Group adopts a proactive and technology-driven approach to MRO, focused on reducing turnaround times and enhancing operational readiness. A key strategy involves maintaining forecast-based spare part inventories for recurring repairs, enabling faster procurement and minimising delays typically caused by imports.
We are also setting up advanced in-country test facilities, particularly in avionics, to improve diagnostic accuracy and performance. For overhaul activities, we replicate OEM assembly lines using imported plant and machinery, and train nucleus manpower under OEM supervision. Strict adherence to OEM protocols and the use of genuine spares ensure consistent quality and reduced equipment downtime.
Notably, Punj Corporation Pvt Ltd (PCPL) is developing indigenous tank engine overhaul facilities with comprehensive OEM support, covering imported spares, technical processes, and quality certification – strengthening India’s self-reliant defence infrastructure.
What are Crown Group’s key offerings in the cyber-defence domain, and how do you address the evolving threats in military cyber warfare and data security?
As of now, we are evaluating various opportunities and will announce the same as and when they materialise.
How are your AI solutions being developed and deployed to provide enhanced situational awareness and decision-making capabilities for the Indian armed forces?
Crown Group is progressing with an MoU with an OEM to manufacture a variety of advanced combat training simulators. These state-of-the-art simulators will leverage virtual reality and AI-based technologies to create highly realistic and immersive training environments. This approach allows trainees to gain extensive experience and skills without the need for actual deployment or wear and tear of operational equipment, thereby preserving critical assets while enhancing training effectiveness.
What is the strategic rationale behind selecting MRO facilities in Visakhapatnam, Karwar, and Chennai, and how will they bolster India’s naval readiness and maintenance capabilities?
The selection of Visakhapatnam, Karwar, and Chennai for Crown Group’s MRO facilities is strategically driven by their proximity to key Indian naval bases. This enables Dynatron Services Pvt Ltd (DSPL) to provide faster, localised support for ship and submarine maintenance, enhancing turnaround times and mission readiness.
To further strengthen capability in these zones, DSPL has partnered with local SMEs to tap into regional expertise and foster collaborative MRO ecosystems. Additionally, a tank engine MRO facility is planned near Avadi, close to key defence manufacturing hubs such as the Heavy Vehicles Factory and Engine Factory. This location within the Chennai–Coimbatore SEZ enables seamless coordination and high-quality overhauls.
Collectively, these strategically placed facilities significantly improve India’s naval maintenance efficiency and contribute to sustained defence preparedness.
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The Group is also expanding licensed manufacturing partnerships with global OEMs like ZF Marine, Kubota, and Mase. How do these collaborations align with your long-term growth strategy and India’s goal of becoming a global defence manufacturing hub?
DSPL has sought a partnership with ZF to establish domestic manufacturing of thrusters, aligning with our commitment to strengthening India’s indigenous defence capabilities. Likewise, OIPL has applied for licences to produce a variety of defence components locally under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ programmes. These efforts will significantly enhance India’s warship construction capacity. Once these products are manufactured and integrated aboard platforms, we plan to pursue their export to international markets.
Furthermore, Punj Corporation Pvt Ltd (PCPL) is exploring collaborations to manufacture ammunition and its components, simulators, and tank parts. These strategic projects aim to boost India’s defence exports, supporting the country’s ambition of becoming a leading global hub for defence manufacturing. Through these partnerships and initiatives, Crown Group is dedicated to advancing self-reliance and global competitiveness in the defence sector.
India is transitioning from being a major arms importer to a trusted global supplier of defence platforms. From Crown Group’s perspective, what are the most significant factors driving this shift?
India’s transition from a major arms importer to a trusted global supplier of defence platforms is being driven by several key factors, with government initiatives like Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India playing a central role. These programmes have galvanised both public and private sector companies, leading to a significant and continuous increase in the indigenous content of warships and submarines.
In response to this imperative, Crown Marine Division has signed agreements for Transfer of Technology (ToT) for critical marine equipment and has already commenced manufacturing these components domestically. Crown Group is committed to establishing manufacturing entities within India, fully equipped with technology transferred from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). This approach ensures adherence to international quality standards, which we believe is the single most important factor for India to emerge as a key global defence supplier.
With active deals across Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, Indian-made systems are gaining global trust. How is Crown Group leveraging its expertise and products to contribute to India’s defence exports and strengthen its position in the international market?
Crown Group’s Marine Division is focusing on manufacturing key defence equipment domestically under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. This includes critical systems such as Integrated Bridge Systems, Kasatka and Karat-E firefighting systems, and night vision devices. Once these products are manufactured and deployed with the Indian Navy, Crown Group will actively seek government approval to export them to friendly foreign countries.
Our commitment to defence exports is regularly highlighted through media coverage and participation in marine exhibitions both in India and internationally, showcasing our dedication to strengthening India’s position as a trusted global defence supplier.
The private sector is now considered a co-architect of India’s defence ecosystem, not just a vendor. How has this shift impacted Crown Group’s operations, and what opportunities and challenges does it present for private defence companies in India?
The shift in India’s defence sector has empowered private companies like Crown Group to evolve from vendors to co-architects of national capability. This change has encouraged us to proactively develop advanced, indigenous technologies tailored for the armed forces, while also enabling collaboration with DRDO to locally manufacture weapon system modules.
Crown Group’s leadership is regularly invited to high-level policy platforms such as Aero India, Maritime India, the Raksha Mantri’s Round Table, and industry forums hosted by FICCI, CII, PHDCCI, and SIDM. These engagements allow us to contribute insights, stay closely aligned with national priorities, and participate in shaping India’s defence roadmap.
This new role unlocks significant opportunities for innovation, strategic partnerships, and capability-building. However, it also comes with challenges, including the need to meet global standards, manage complex regulatory frameworks, and remain agile to evolving defence needs. At Crown Group, we view these as catalysts to further accelerate India’s journey towards defence modernisation and self-reliance.
India is rapidly advancing in hypersonics, AI-based surveillance, unmanned systems, and advanced MRO. How is Crown Group positioning itself to be at the forefront of these emerging technologies and contribute to India’s future defence capabilities?
Crown Group positions itself at the forefront of emerging defence technologies by collaborating exclusively with major OEMs for Transfer of Technology and co-manufacturing. This approach ensures that we acquire and implement original, cutting-edge technologies while delivering products that meet the highest quality standards.
Additionally, Crown Group invests in modern manufacturing processes and capabilities, including night vision devices, drones, simulators, and printed circuit boards, reinforcing our commitment to support India’s advancement in hypersonics, AI-based surveillance, unmanned systems, and advanced MRO. Through these strategic partnerships and investments, we aim to contribute substantially to India’s future defence capabilities and technological self-reliance.