Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and SFO Technologies Pvt Ltd, the flagship company of NeST Group, have jointly developed and unveiled India’s first indigenously designed and manufactured Hybrid Laser Arc Welding (HLAW) technology, marking a significant milestone in the country’s advanced manufacturing and shipbuilding capabilities.
The innovative HLAW system integrates laser welding, conventional arc welding, robotics and advanced automation, powered by a high-power fibre laser source indigenously developed by SFO Technologies.
The technology is expected to deliver higher welding speeds, deeper penetration, reduced distortion and improved weld consistency, offering significant productivity and quality improvements across shipbuilding, defence, heavy engineering, railways, energy and other strategic manufacturing sectors. Its potential applications also extend to the manufacturing of large storage tanks and railway wagons.
The indigenous development is expected to reduce India’s dependence on imported laser welding platforms while strengthening domestic capabilities in high-end industrial technologies. In the shipbuilding sector, where welding is a critical component of vessel construction, the technology could significantly enhance production efficiency, structural quality and manufacturing consistency.
The announcement was made during the inauguration of the Advanced Laser Engineering Centre and Hybrid Laser Arc Welding R&D Facility at NeST Hitek Park, Kalamassery. The facility was inaugurated by Jose V J, Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard, and Dr N Jehangir, Chairman and Managing Director of SFO Technologies.
Highlighting the significance of the collaboration, Jose V J said the partnership demonstrated how engineering innovation could address practical industrial requirements.
He noted that the collaboration had enabled the joint development of a technology with applications across shipbuilding and other manufacturing industries, adding that indigenous Hybrid Laser Arc Welding had the potential to enhance productivity, quality and competitiveness in Indian manufacturing.
Dr N Jehangir said the development demonstrated India’s ability to conceive, engineer and manufacture sophisticated industrial technologies domestically by developing the high-power fibre laser source in-house and integrating it with advanced welding systems, robotics and automation.
The newly established centre will focus on research, testing, validation and commercialisation of advanced laser technologies. The initiative is expected to support India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision while strengthening the country’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem and positioning Kochi as an emerging hub for industrial innovation.
The collaboration between Cochin Shipyard and SFO Technologies marks an important step towards developing indigenous capabilities in next-generation manufacturing technologies, with potential applications extending well beyond the maritime sector.