India’s top defence shipyards—Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam—have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly work on submarine projects. This partnership is aimed at boosting India’s self-reliance in submarine manufacturing and expanding production capacity on both the eastern and western coasts.
A Dual-Yard Approach for Faster Delivery
This collaboration marks a shift in India’s submarine strategy. With MDL already experienced in submarine construction and HSL now gaining strong technical ground, the partnership will help accelerate production timelines and improve resource allocation. HSL’s expertise in outfitting is expected to shorten delivery cycles and ease the burden previously handled solely by MDL.
Until now, India’s dependence on a single submarine-building yard has limited its ability to meet the Navy’s requirement of around two dozen submarines. The new dual-yard model helps overcome this bottleneck, enabling timely fulfilment of force-level goals and providing greater operational flexibility.
HSL’s Rise in Submarine Expertise
Hindustan Shipyard’s evolution from a repair-focused facility to a submarine-capable shipyard has been steady and strategic. It began developing submarine-related skills in the 1970s, starting with repairs of Egyptian submarines. In the late 1990s, it successfully refitted India’s Foxtrot-class submarines, establishing its credentials within the naval community.
HSL’s major breakthrough came with its work on Russian-origin EKM-class submarines. These complex projects allowed it to master the demands of modern submarine technologies and positioned the yard as a serious player in the defence sector.
A major milestone came in 2015 when HSL completed a mid-life upgrade of INS Sindhukirti—the first and only such upgrade done within India. It demonstrated the yard’s ability to handle advanced, precision-heavy tasks. This was followed by another notable achievement in 2020 when HSL finished a refit of INS Sindhuvir well ahead of schedule.
Currently, the yard is handling a normal refit of INS Sindhukirti, which has already completed surface sorties and is preparing for sea trials—showcasing consistent operational performance and reinforcing trust in its capabilities.
Infrastructure and Ecosystem Strength
HSL boasts a wide range of specialised infrastructure, including electrical and weapons workshops, chemical cleaning facilities, advanced pipe-fitting units, and a deep-water waterfront suited for submarine operations. These facilities are complemented by a skilled local workforce, reliable vendor networks, and efficient logistics, forming a strong ecosystem ideal for expanding into full-scale submarine construction.
These capabilities position HSL well for upcoming projects like India’s P75(I) and P76 submarine programmes.
Government Support and Strategic Backing
Since its administrative shift to the Ministry of Defence in 2010, HSL has received growing support from the central government. This aligns with a 1999 Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) mandate to develop an alternative submarine construction facility on India’s East Coast—a vision reaffirmed in 2010 when the Defence Acquisition Council approved HSL for conventional submarine construction.
Reinforcing Maritime Defence
Recent operations such as Operation Sindoor have underscored the strategic need for a robust submarine fleet. Submarines play a vital role in surveillance, deterrence, and ensuring wartime readiness, particularly in the face of increased naval activity in the Indian Ocean by foreign powers.
With HSL and MDL now working together, India is better positioned to realise its maritime defence goals and reduce its dependence on foreign submarine technologies.
