In a major step toward strengthening India’s security infrastructure and boosting indigenous manufacturing, Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Varex Imaging Corporation, a global leader in linear accelerators and imaging technologies headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Under this agreement, SDHI will exclusively manufacture Varex’s advanced high-energy cargo and vehicle inspection systems at its modern shipyard facility in Pipavav, Gujarat. The design of these systems caters to the increasing need for secure and efficient cargo inspection at land borders and seaports throughout India.
Boosting National Security and Manufacturing
The collaboration is a major milestone in India’s effort to build a more secure and self-reliant infrastructure. It is aligned with the Government of India’s Make in India’ initiative, encouraging local production of high-end security equipment and promoting technology transfer from global leaders to Indian manufacturers.
Speaking about the collaboration, representatives from both companies emphasised the importance of leveraging Varex Imaging’s globally acclaimed imaging technologies with SDHI’s robust engineering and shipbuilding capabilities to deliver next-generation cargo inspection solutions.
World-Class Manufacturing Hub at Pipavav
Swan Defence’s Pipavav shipyard is among the most advanced manufacturing facilities in India, featuring:
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India’s largest dry dock (662m x 65m)
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Annual fabrication capacity of 144,000 tons
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Infrastructure suited for large-scale defence and industrial projects
This world-class setup positions SDHI as a key player in manufacturing strategic and security-grade equipment.
Strengthening Border and Maritime Security
The agreement is expected to significantly bolster India’s border and maritime security readiness, ensuring quicker and more reliable screening of goods without compromising on throughput or safety. The cargo inspection systems to be manufactured under this partnership will aid Indian authorities in detecting contraband, weapons, and other threats in real time.
The SDHI–Varex alliance represents not just a step forward for India’s defence and industrial sectors but also a model for global-indigenous cooperation in mission-critical technologies.