MDL, HSL to Sign MoU for India's First Dual-Coast Submarine Plan

• MDL and HSL to sign MoU for dual-coast submarine production under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
• MDL brings experience from Scorpene builds; HSL from complex submarine upgrades.
• The collaboration aims to meet the Navy’s need for 24 submarines and boost delivery speed.

In a major development for the national defence industry, government-owned shipbuilders Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) and Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) are about to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU), allowing for the shared construction of submarines and the country's first dual-coast submarine manufacturing capacity.

The collaboration provides a significant push in accordance with the Narendra Modi led Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative to enhance domestic defence production and lessen dependency on international suppliers. This will significantly boost national capabilities to produce sophisticated submarines for the Indian Navy.

MDL has expertise in building both Shishumar-class submarines and the newer Scorpene-class submarines, with technology transfer projects. Currently, MDL is working with the German submarine maker TKMS on the Rs 45,000-crore Project 75(I) submarine program.

HSL is based in Visakhapatnam on the east coast, and is unique as the only Indian shipyard to complete a full submarine upgrade - the complex overhaul of the INS Sindhukirti. It is still undertaking important upgrades and renovations for the Navy's submarine fleet.

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This dual-yard project fulfills a long-term strategic goal from 1999 that identified the need to create a submarine construction facility on the east coast to enhance the capability of the west coast.

The Indian Navy has indicated an ambition for a minimum of 24 submarines to combat increasing maritime threat and to assert dominance in the Indo-Pacific. Because of the complexity and long timelines associated with submarine construction, the working relationship between MDL and HSL can be an asset in providing reducing delivery schedules, ensuring consistent production, and minimizing the risks of relying on a single yard.

The dual-coast manufacturing approach is anticipated to greatly improve India’s underwater combat capabilities and fits its larger goal of becoming a powerful Blue Water Navy with extended reach.