Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), a cornerstone of India's naval shipbuilding industry, has announced a major expansion plan aimed at doubling its production capacity in the next 4-5 years.
This ambitious undertaking involves a ₹5,000 crore (approximately $600 million) investment in new infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art dry dock facility measuring 180 meters long and 60 meters wide. This expansion will enable MDL to enhance its production rate, modernize operations, and meet the growing demand for advanced naval vessels both domestically and on the international stage.
Central to this expansion is the construction of a new very-long dry dock, capable of accommodating some of the largest ships and submarines in the Indian Navy's fleet. With dimensions of 180 meters by 60 meters, this dry dock will significantly increase MDL's flexibility, allowing the shipbuilder to work on multiple complex projects concurrently. This includes advanced stealth destroyers, frigates, and larger submarines, all critical to India's naval modernization efforts.
This new dry dock will complement MDL's existing infrastructure, enabling the company to efficiently assemble, inspect, and service larger vessels without disrupting the production flow of other ongoing projects. This efficiency translates to reduced wait times and improved project timelines, a crucial factor in meeting the Indian Navy's ambitious fleet modernization goals.
MDL's expanded capacity will be essential in fulfilling the requirements set out by the Ministry of Defence for projects such as the P-17A frigates, the Scorpene-class submarines, and other upcoming ship and submarine programs.
Moreover, by doubling its capacity, MDL will be strategically positioned to secure export orders, bolstering India's presence in the global defence market. With a growing demand from friendly foreign nations for Indian-made warships and submarines, MDL's expanded facility will allow it to supply vessels to key allies, further strengthening India's geopolitical influence.
MDL has a proud history of providing the Indian Navy with domestically produced, world-class vessels. Projects like the Scorpene-class submarines and the Project 15B Visakhapatnam-class destroyers exemplify MDL's capability to produce sophisticated platforms that meet stringent international standards. This expansion will enable MDL to not only increase production rates but also explore even more complex and innovative shipbuilding designs.
The enhanced shipyard will empower MDL to meet ambitious project timelines and future requirements for technologically advanced warships, aligning with the Navy's vision for fleet expansion by the late 2030s. The addition of a modern, larger dry dock will ensure that MDL can cater to the demands for indigenous shipbuilding and overhaul capacities required by an expanding and increasingly sophisticated fleet.
