A Game-Changing Move to Strengthen India’s Maritime Dominance Amid Indo-Pacific Tensions
Mumbai/Visakhapatnam, June 9, 2025 – In a major boost to India’s naval preparedness, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaboratively advance India’s submarine construction programme. The strategic tie-up is designed to reduce project timelines, enhance output efficiency, and establish dual submarine-building hubs on both coasts of the country.
Why This Partnership Matters
Until now, MDL has led India’s submarine construction efforts under Project-75, successfully building German-origin SSK-class and French-designed Scorpene-class submarines. But relying solely on a single shipyard has posed limitations in scale, speed, and resilience—a growing concern amid increasing tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
To mitigate this risk, HSL—India’s oldest shipyard, based in Visakhapatnam—has been roped in to augment submarine production from the eastern seaboard.
“This collaboration marks a decisive shift toward parallel construction, a global best practice followed by naval powers like the US and Russia,” said a senior defence official.
🔧 HSL’s Proven Track Record
Though historically known for ship repairs, HSL has steadily expanded into submarine maintenance and mid-life upgrades, making it a natural choice for this strategic partnership. Some key milestones include:
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INS Sindhukirti: Completed a challenging Medium Refit-cum-Mid-Life Upgrade in 2015.
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INS Sindhuvir: Delivered early after a successful standard refit in 2020.
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INS Sindhukirti (2025): Currently undergoing sea trials after completing two successful surface sorties.
These successes underline HSL’s operational maturity and readiness to scale up into full-fledged submarine construction.
Infrastructure and Strategic Advantage
Both MDL and HSL are Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and possess complementary infrastructure:
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MDL: Specialised in submarine integration and final assembly.
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HSL: Equipped with submarine docks, electrical systems workshops, pipe-fitting stations, and deep-draft waterfronts for launch and testing.
HSL’s location in Visakhapatnam also provides access to private-sector support, such as L&T’s ATVP expertise, robust logistics, and state-supported defence manufacturing policies.
📈 Dual-Yard Construction: What It Means for India
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Faster Deliveries: Reduced submarine production timelines
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Risk Diversification: No longer dependent on a single shipyard
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Indigenisation: Aligned with “AatmaNirbhar Bharat” defence goals
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Strategic Presence: Dual facilities on East and West coasts improve maritime coverage
This partnership directly supports the Indian Navy’s target of maintaining a 24-submarine fleet, a number critical to countering threats in the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and the larger Indo-Pacific region.
🌏 Global Vision: Exporting Indian Naval Expertise
Beyond domestic goals, HSL is actively pursuing international submarine maintenance contracts, including potential collaborations with the Vietnam People’s Navy. These deals could position India as a global submarine refit and servicing hub, adding a new dimension to India’s defence exports strategy.
🧭 Strategic Context: Why Now?
Recent operations like Operation Sindoor have highlighted the increasing role of submarines in modern warfare. While air and missile systems dominated these missions, maritime surveillance and underwater dominance remain essential for long-term strategic depth.
India’s push for a Blue Water Navy—capable of sustained operations across oceans—depends heavily on such infrastructure expansions.
