MDL Gears Up to Build Six U-214NG and Three Enhanced Scorpene Submarines for Indian Navy

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), India's premier naval shipyard, is preparing for one of its most ambitious undertakings—simultaneously constructing six German-designed U-214NG submarines and three enhanced Scorpene-class submarines for the Indian Navy. This significant development comes following the Indian Ministry of Defence's approval, marking a major milestone in strengthening India's underwater warfare capabilities.

The six U-214NG submarines will be built in collaboration with Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), with construction taking place in MDL’s existing drydocks. Despite the scale of the project, the shipyard has confirmed that it possesses sufficient infrastructure and will not require any additional expansion. MDL currently has the capacity to construct and refit up to 11 submarines at the same time, making it well-equipped for this dual submarine-building effort.

The three new Scorpene-class submarines, an improved version of the Kalvari-class currently in service, will incorporate Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems, significantly enhancing their underwater endurance. This will allow the submarines to stay submerged for extended periods without surfacing to recharge their batteries, improving stealth and operational efficiency. These upgrades align with India's broader plan to modernize its submarine fleet and enhance its deterrence capabilities in the Indian Ocean region.

MDL anticipates a high-intensity production phase beginning in 2025, when construction on all nine submarines is expected to commence. The expertise and infrastructure developed during the previous Scorpene-class projects will help accelerate the construction of the enhanced Scorpene submarines, while the U-214NG project—leveraging German technology—will take longer to ramp up.

According to the agreement with TKMS, the U-214NG submarines must be completed and delivered within seven years, setting a target completion date of 2032. The first of the three enhanced Scorpene-class submarines is also expected to complete sea trials around the same timeframe, reflecting MDL’s efficient planning and execution capabilities.

A significant portion of the U-214NG submarines’ components will be sourced from within India, reinforcing the country’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing and boosting the indigenous defense industry. The partnership with TKMS not only strengthens Indo-German naval cooperation but also fosters advanced technological exchange between the two nations.

Looking beyond these projects, MDL has expressed its aspiration to be the leading shipyard for India’s future submarine program, Project-76. By leveraging its current expertise and well-established facilities, MDL aims to play a central role in shaping India’s next-generation submarine fleet.

The concurrent construction of these nine submarines will not only modernize the Indian Navy’s fleet but also reaffirm MDL’s status as a world-class shipbuilding powerhouse. With a skilled workforce, cutting-edge infrastructure, and extensive experience in submarine construction, MDL is set to play a pivotal role in India’s maritime defense strategy for the coming decades.