Russia Unveils Domestic Digital Model to Streamline Heavy Shipbuilding

A new Russian automated CAD system aims to unite every stakeholder in a single digital environment, boosting efficiency and transparency across the entire heavy‑ship production cycle.

In a bid to modernize its naval industry, Russia’s leading shipbuilders and software firms are collaborating to develop an in‑house computer‑aided design (CAD) system for constructing heavy‑class vessels. The project brings together multiple top-tier companies with the shared goal of shifting the entire shipbuilding process onto domestic software platforms.

Building heavy ships is an intricate, multi‑layered endeavor that involves design and operations teams, manufacturers, regulators, clients, and numerous other participants. Under the new system, all parties will work within a unified digital workspace, consolidating data flows and significantly improving the efficiency of shipyard operations.

At the heart of the initiative is a comprehensive digital twin of each vessel, cataloging every component’s cost, the labor hours required for fabrication, and the time allocated to each production step. Once created, this digital model will not only guide the ship’s construction but will also serve as a reference throughout its operational life, from maintenance scheduling to performance monitoring.

By basing the information model on proprietary Russian CAD software, the program is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of the national shipbuilding sector, ensure full transparency at every stage of production, and reduce operational risks associated with heavy vessels. Moreover, it will enable shipyards to adapt more swiftly to evolving market demands and regulatory changes, ultimately accelerating the pace at which new projects are launched.