In a major push to bolster India’s maritime defence capabilities, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) is set to undertake a significant expansion of its shipbuilding infrastructure with an investment ranging between ₹4,000 and ₹5,000 crore. The move aligns with the Indian Navy’s growing operational needs and follows its recent high-intensity Operation Sindoor exercises in the Arabian Sea, which have reaffirmed the strategic focus on fleet augmentation.
Defence officials have confirmed that MDL plans to reclaim 10 acres of marine area adjacent to its existing shipbuilding yard in Mumbai. This reclaimed land will be used to develop two new basins, which will allow the dockyard to simultaneously build and repair large warships and submarines, effectively doubling its deadweight handling capacity from the current 40,000 tonnes to 80,000 tonnes.
To further strengthen its long-term shipbuilding goals, MDL aims to reach a total deadweight capacity of 2 lakh tonnes. This target will be met through the optimal utilisation of 37 acres of land it has already secured at Nhava Sheva port. These upgrades are aimed at meeting the growing and complex requirements of the Indian Navy, as India sharpens its focus on indigenising critical defence capabilities.
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In a related development, MDL had also acquired a 29-year lease for 15 acres of land from the Mumbai Port Authority last year. Shipbuilding activities have already commenced at this leased site. With the new proposed infrastructure, MDL will be in a stronger position to fulfil the Navy’s demand for more advanced and rapidly deliverable naval assets.
At present, MDL has the infrastructure to construct 11 submarines and 10 warships simultaneously. The facility is already involved in two large-scale submarine projects for the Navy, collectively valued at over ₹1.06 lakh crore. These projects are expected to be a game-changer for India's undersea warfare capabilities, furthering the Navy’s objective of strategic deterrence and combat readiness in the Indian Ocean Region.
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Despite such progress, India’s shipbuilding output still lags behind that of China, which possesses the world’s largest naval fleet, with more than 370 vessels. However, India is steadily working to close this gap by modernising its domestic shipyards, expanding capacity, and focusing on self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The Ministry of Defence has stated that the new MDL facilities will support both the construction and timely repair of high-value naval platforms. The infrastructure expansion is also seen as a critical part of India’s long-term defence strategy, particularly with regard to timely delivery of naval vessels and maintenance of operational readiness.
MDL, which recently celebrated its 250th anniversary, holds a distinguished place in India’s maritime history. Founded in 1774 and brought under government control in 1960, the dockyard has constructed over 800 ships, including 31 capital warships and eight submarines, and has also exported 214 vessels to clients overseas. This planned expansion will significantly support the Indian Navy's ambitious vision of building a 175 Capital Ship Navy and achieving 100 per cent indigenisation by 2047, a goal that aligns with the nation’s larger pursuit of strategic autonomy and maritime dominance in the coming decades.
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