India to Establish First Dual-Coastal Submarine Manufacturing Hub with MDL-HSL Pact

In a landmark move that promises to transform India’s naval defense manufacturing landscape, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) is on the verge of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) to create the nation’s first dual-coastal submarine manufacturing facility. This ambitious plan aims to establish parallel submarine production capabilities on both the eastern and western coasts of India — a strategic decision with far-reaching implications for national security, shipbuilding capacity, and maritime dominance.

A Strategic Collaboration

MDL, headquartered in Mumbai and renowned for its role in building India's conventional and nuclear submarines, is expected to partner with HSL, located in Visakhapatnam, a key player on the eastern seaboard. The proposed collaboration will not only synergize the technical expertise of both public sector giants but will also lay the groundwork for a decentralized, resilient, and accelerated submarine production model.

While the formal agreement is yet to be inked, officials from both shipyards and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have confirmed that negotiations are at an advanced stage. Once finalized, this MoU will pave the way for establishing parallel production lines — MDL focusing on the western front and HSL scaling up operations on the eastern coast.

The Meaning of “Dual-Coastal Submarine Manufacturing”

The concept of dual-coastal submarine manufacturing involves simultaneously building submarines on both coasts of India — the west coast (Mumbai, Gujarat) and the east coast (Visakhapatnam, Puducherry). This decentralized production approach offers India a suite of strategic and operational advantages:

1. Faster and Higher Volume Production

With simultaneous manufacturing taking place at two geographically distinct facilities, the rate of submarine production can be significantly accelerated. This dual-site approach ensures that more units can be built and commissioned in a shorter time span, reducing bottlenecks traditionally associated with single-site production. In a rapidly evolving maritime threat environment, this speed can be critical.

2. Operational Continuity in Crisis

One of the key strategic rationales behind this initiative is redundancy. If one facility is affected by geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, or adversarial sabotage, the other facility can continue production without interruption. This adds a layer of security and resilience to India’s defense industrial base that has long been concentrated in specific coastal areas.

3. Balanced Maritime Security Posture

India’s maritime interests span both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. By investing in submarine manufacturing capabilities on both coasts, India ensures a more balanced naval presence. Submarines built on the east coast can be quickly deployed in the Bay of Bengal and the Indo-Pacific, while those on the west can secure vital sea lanes in the Arabian Sea and beyond.

This geographic distribution supports India’s “two-ocean strategy”, allowing for real-time responses to threats on either flank, enhanced patrolling capabilities, and seamless integration of indigenous platforms into both Eastern and Western Naval Commands.

Laying the Foundation for Future Expansion

The dual-coastal model also creates the possibility for private sector participation, future technology transfer arrangements, and enhanced local employment. MDL and HSL are expected to collaborate on skill development, digital shipbuilding tools, and modular construction techniques, which can bring down costs and improve precision.

Moreover, this move dovetails with India's broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) vision in the defense sector. As India eyes the development of next-generation submarines under the Project-75I and Project-76 (future conventional and possibly nuclear-powered platforms), having dual production facilities will be a crucial enabler.

Strategic Timing

This development comes at a time when regional maritime tensions are on the rise — particularly in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region (IOR). With China increasing its naval footprint and Pakistan modernizing its underwater fleet, India is keen to assert its presence and ensure credible underwater deterrence.

Additionally, India’s growing role in multilateral maritime collaborations like the QUAD and Indo-Pacific partnerships makes indigenous submarine capabilities even more vital.