India’s first two-coast submarine manufacturing industry: Mazagon Dock, Hindustan Shipyard signs historical convention
Amid landmark developments in the domestic defense sector, state-owned shipyards Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) and Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly build submarines to establish the country’s first Dual Dual-Dual-Coast-Coast Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine Sumparine S The collaboration marks the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative of the Narendra Modi government to increase the indigenous defense manufacturing industry and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. It will greatly improve the country’s ability to produce advanced submarines for the Indian Navy.
Mumbai-based MDL has a good track record in establishing Shishumar-class and the latest Scorpene-Class submarines. Currently, it is in the bidding for a submarine 450,000 crore project 75(i) in cooperation with German submarine manufacturer TKMS.
HSL is headquartered in Visakhapatnam on the east coast, and its unique difference is the only Indian shipyard that has completed the modernization of full-size submarines – the complex Sindhukirti. It continues to handle major renovations and overhauls for the Navy’s underwater fleet.
The double code initiative fulfills a long-term strategic vision dating back to 1999, which calls for the establishment of a subsea construction facility on the East Coast to complement the West Coast’s capabilities.
The Indian Navy expects at least 24 submarines to deal with increased maritime threats and advocate for the dominance of the Indo-Pacific. Given the complexity and long timelines associated with submarine construction, the MDL-HSL partnership is crucial to accelerate delivery schedules, ensuring production continuity and mitigating risks associated with single code dependencies.
Operation Sindor is an extensive underwater surveillance and deterrence campaign carried out by the Navy, highlighting the critical role of submarines in safeguarding India’s maritime interests.
The dual coastal manufacturing strategy is expected to significantly enhance India’s underwater combat readiness and align with wider ambitions to become the dominant Blue Navy navy throughout the Indo-Pacific.
Through this move, India has taken a decisive step to build a strong self-reliance ecosystem on the underwater war platform, ensuring not only its shoreline but also its strategic maritime interests go far beyond the distance.
