New Delhi: India’s push to rapidly expand its underwater defence capabilities got a significant boost with the inking of a strategic partnership between two state-owned shipyards, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), which would make a much faster pace of submarine development.
The deal between MDL and HSL, formalised through a recent memorandum of understanding (MoU), promises to rev up construction timelines and significantly advance India’s strategic maritime posture amid rising tensions across the Indo-Pacific region.
MDL has historically spearheaded India’s submarine-building efforts, successfully delivering German-designed SSK-class vessels and French-designed Scorpene-class submarines under Project-75. However, relying solely on one yard has carried the risk of limiting the speed and scalability of India’s submarine programme—a potential strategic vulnerability amid increasing geopolitical pressures.
Recognising this limitation, Indian defence strategists identified the urgent need for a second major submarine construction facility to complement MDL’s operations. Hindustan Shipyard Limited, situated on India’s east coast in Visakhapatnam, emerged as a natural candidate.
Known primarily for ship repairs, HSL has methodically built up its submarine refit and upgrade capability over several decades, uniquely qualifying it to expand into submarine construction.
Notably, HSL remains the only Indian shipyard to successfully execute the challenging Medium Refit-cum-mid-life upgrade, accomplishing this milestone with INS Sindhukirti in 2015 and delivering ahead-of-schedule normal refit work on INS Sindhuvir in 2020.
Currently, HSL continues to demonstrate operational excellence with its ongoing Normal Refit of INS Sindhukirti, having already successfully completed two surface sorties. The submarine is now preparing for full-power sea trials by the end of this month, highlighting the yard’s consistently high standards.
The strategic integration of HSL into India’s submarine-construction capabilities aligns directly with longstanding government policy.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had already envisioned developing an alternate submarine construction facility on the East Coast in 1999, a strategic decision reaffirmed and formalised in July 2010 when the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) officially approved HSL as the alternate yard for conventional submarine construction.
The new HSL–MDL partnership envisions significant efficiency gains. By dividing responsibilities between MDL’s primary submarine assembly and HSL’s concurrent construction activities, industry experts anticipate substantially reduced production timelines. This dual-yard approach reflects international best practices adopted by maritime powers such as the United States and Russia, enabling parallel production processes and substantially improved overall project management.
Beyond immediate production efficiency, the MDL–HSL partnership ensures optimal utilisation of national resources. Manpower, technical expertise, and infrastructure from both shipyards will be strategically deployed, maximising efficiency and minimising duplication of efforts.
Both yards, as Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), remain aligned with the stringent defence procurement and indigenisation priorities outlined in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “AatmaNirbhar Bharat” initiative.
The success of this collaborative model relies heavily on HSL’s existing infrastructure. Its dedicated submarine division oversees specialised facilities, including advanced electrical and weapons system workshops, sophisticated pipe-fitting stations, chemical cleaning bays, and waterfronts with sufficient depth for submarine operations. These assets enable immediate initiation of modular construction, directly complementing MDL’s extensive experience in submarine integration.
Moreover, HSL’s geographic location in Visakhapatnam further enhances the effectiveness of this arrangement. The region offers ready access to a robust industrial ecosystem, reliable local suppliers, efficient logistical networks, and proximity to private defence enterprises such as Larsen & Toubro—already involved in India’s strategic Advanced Technology Vessel Programme (ATVP). This regional synergy reinforces India’s broader submarine industry capabilities.
The proactive support of the Andhra Pradesh state government has significantly contributed to HSL’s rapid capability development. Encouraging defence manufacturing, the state has fostered an enabling environment, positioning HSL to undertake larger, more ambitious projects.
Recent military operations, such as Operation Sindoor, have stressed the strategic necessity of India’s expanded submarine capability. While primarily executed through airpower and missile capabilities, the operation emphasised the growing importance of maritime surveillance, particularly in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, where naval vessels from nations friendly to Pakistan are based. Enhanced submarine capabilities are now indispensable for operational readiness, maritime surveillance, and fulfilling India’s strategic aspirations of maintaining a robust Blue Water Navy.
With MDL and HSL now established as major submarine-building facilities, the Indian Navy no longer relies on a single facility. This dual-yard approach substantially improves India’s ability to meet its long-standing submarine fleet requirements, accelerating production, ensuring fleet sustainability, and significantly enhancing strategic maritime resilience amid rising regional threats.
Given the Indian Navy’s strategic requirement of roughly 24 submarines, depending solely on one construction yard has historically constrained India’s submarine programme.
The MDL–HSL partnership directly addresses this limitation, enabling simultaneous construction across two dedicated yards—MDL on the West Coast and HSL on the East Coast. This dual-yard model significantly enhances production efficiency, accelerates delivery timelines, and ensures sustained naval readiness in the face of evolving Indo-Pacific security challenges.
Beyond domestic advantages, HSL’s strategic vision also extends globally. The yard is actively pursuing discussions with international naval forces, including the Vietnam People’s Navy, to perform submarine refits and lifecycle maintenance.
Capturing these international contracts could position India prominently within the global submarine servicing market, marking a significant step toward exporting defence expertise and equipment.
