SDHI & MDL sign MoU to develop LDPs

MDL will now bring its vast experience in ship design, project management, and system integration, while SDHI will provide its world-class shipbuilding infrastructure for construction of vessels.

Mumbai: The Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, India’s premier defence shipyard and a Navratna company under the Ministry of Defence, has signed an exclusive Teaming Agreement (TA) with Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI), one of the largest shipbuilding and heavy fabrication company, for collaboration in the design and construction of Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) for the Indian Navy.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) last week accorded approval for the acquisition of LPDs - a critical capability addition for the Indian Navy to project power, undertake amphibious operations, and deliver humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions.

Under this TA signed during the India Maritime Week, MDL will bring its vast experience in ship design, project management, and system integration, while SDHI will provide its world-class shipbuilding infrastructure - the largest in the country - for the construction of the vessels. The partnership is designed to combine the technical, financial, and operational strengths of both shipyards to deliver an optimal solution for the Indian Navy.

This collaboration embodies the spirit of Public–Private Partnership (PPP) envisioned by the Government of India. By leveraging the efficiency, flexibility, and cost competitiveness of the private sector together with the proven capabilities, quality standards, and credibility of a leading public sector enterprise, the partnership aims to reduce build periods, enhance quality, and achieve cost efficiency in the construction of these complex platforms.

Vivek Merchant, Director, Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited said, “We are excited to partner with MDL for this prestigious programme. Together, we aim to deliver technologically advanced, globally competitive platforms that will strengthen the Indian Navy’s blue-water capabilities. This TA reinforces our commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat and to develop India as a global shipbuilding hub.”

Captain Jagmohan, Chairman and Managing Director, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd said, “This partnership marks a new chapter in Indian shipbuilding. The LPDs are vital to India’s maritime power projection capability, and through this collaboration, we intend to deliver world-class ships built in India, for India. By combining MDL’s design and integration expertise with SDHI’s modern infrastructure, we are confident of setting new benchmarks in quality, efficiency, and timeliness - a true model of public–private synergy in the defence sector.”