Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam welcomed Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, on Friday (October 10), in a visit that underscored the Navy’s close partnership with one of India’s oldest defence shipyards.
Commodore Girideep Singh (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director of HSL, and the shipyard’s Functional Directors expressed their gratitude to the Vice Admiral for his continued guidance and support. According to a statement by the Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU), the discussions centred on ongoing naval projects and the growing role of the shipyard in advancing India’s maritime capabilities.
How has HSL strengthened its role in India’s naval modernisation?
Vice Admiral Pendharkar praised what he called the “remarkable transformation” of HSL into a premier DPSU capable of delivering complex platforms and refits. He noted that the shipyard’s recent achievements reflected a steady rise in its technical capability and reliability for the Indian Navy.
Among these achievements is the Fleet Support Ship (FSS) programme — one of the Navy’s most significant ongoing projects. The keel for the first of five vessels was laid recently, marking a milestone in India’s effort to expand its blue-water logistics capacity. The ships, equipped with replenishment-at-sea systems from Kongsberg Maritime and propulsion packages from MAN Energy Solutions, are expected to enter service from mid-2027.
HSL’s expertise in refit and maintenance has also drawn attention. In July, the yard completed the fastest-ever normal refit of a Kilo-class submarine and finished a life-extension overhaul of the 27-year-old Coast Guard vessel ICGS Sarang ahead of schedule. The recent delivery of INS Nistar, a DP-II Diving Support Vessel, further demonstrated the company’s growing ability to handle technically demanding builds.
What lies ahead for the shipyard’s expansion and naval partnership?
To meet rising demand, HSL is preparing to establish its first satellite shipyard in Andhra Pradesh, with sites in Mulapeta, Srikakulam and Kakinada being considered. The proposed facility will feature floating dry docks for both construction and repair work, relieving the main yard in Visakhapatnam and expanding capacity for future contracts.
Meanwhile, HSL’s Ship Repair Complex (SRC) in Vizag is running near full capacity, handling naval, Coast Guard and commercial vessels. The shipyard’s ability to operate at such high throughput represents a sharp turnaround from earlier years of underutilisation.
The synergy between the Eastern Naval Command and HSL remains at the core of India’s maritime ambitions. The Navy is expected to induct 20 to 25 new warships by 2037 — including frigates, survey ships and support vessels — many of which will depend on HSL’s infrastructure and expertise.
Vice Admiral Pendharkar’s visit, and his words of confidence, capture a moment of quiet but significant progress: a once-struggling public shipyard now emerging as a vital partner in India’s drive for naval self-reliance.