Indian Navy Seeks Hindustan Shipyard Lifecycle Support Expansion

The Indian Navy wants Hindustan Shipyard Limited to grow from a shipbuilder into a long-term capability partner. Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti said the role should cover construction, lifecycle support, upgrades and mid-life refits, while keeping timely delivery and quality as the base for any wider mandate.

Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti visited HSL on July 6 and was briefed by Chairman and Managing Director Rear Admiral Chandrasekharan Raghuram (Retd) on recent projects and infrastructure gains. He told shipyard staff the link with HSL should extend beyond ship construction to “full life cycle support, upgrades and mid-life upgrades”.

HSL’s existing Navy role

For HSL, a Mini Ratna Category-I MoD PSU, this is not new ground. The yard has handled extended medium refits of Kilo-class submarines, including INS Sindhukirti, INS Vela and INS Vagli. The medium refit and modernisation of INS Sindhukirti is now under way, and INS Sindhuvir was earlier retrofitted before its transfer to Myanmar.

After setting out that wider role, Vice Admiral Sobti warned that basics still matter. He said, “Quality and timely delivery is very, very important.” The Navy’s message was clear: a larger remit can only work if HSL keeps to schedules and maintains steady quality over many years.

Vice Admiral Sobti said HSL has “been a trusted partner of the Indian Navy for a very long time” and added that “along with the Indian Navy, HSL will be a very, very important part” of India’s growing maritime sector. He said the Navy wants to work with HSL “as a strategic partner and not just a construction yard”.

HSL’s Mini Ratna status gives it space to plan for the financial and operational needs of a life-cycle model, including capital expenditure and technology partnerships. One such move is its ongoing work with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited to move from submarine refits into construction, without needing extended government approval at each stage.

Vice Admiral Sobti also pointed to the workforce angle, saying HSL has acquired “a certain amount of experience”. He expressed confidence that the yard will continue to expand its capabilities and strengthen its role as a strategic partner of the Indian Navy, with that experience seen as key to future life-cycle support work.