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Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) and Swan Defence & Heavy Industries Ltd (SDHI) have entered into a teaming agreement to jointly design and build landing platform docks (LPDs) for the Indian Navy as part of India's ongoing efforts to strengthen domestic defence production. The partnership was announced during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, shortly after the Defence Acquisition Council's approval for LPD procurement. MDL will manage the design and overall project execution, while SDHI will provide shipbuilding infrastructure and fabrication capabilities. The initiative highlights growing collaboration between public and private players in India's defence shipbuilding industry.
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), one of India's leading public-sector shipyards, has signed a teaming agreement with Swan Defence & Heavy Industries Ltd (SDHI) to jointly design and construct landing platform docks (LPDs) for the Indian Navy. The agreement was signed during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, marking a key step towards expanding India's naval shipbuilding capacity. Advertisement
The LPDs are multi-role warships designed to support amphibious operations, troop and equipment transport, and disaster relief missions. These ships are vital for enhancing the Navy's capability to conduct operations across coastal and international waters. The partnership follows the recent approval by the Defence Acquisition Council for the procurement of LPDs under the "Buy Indian - Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured (IDDM)" category, which aims to promote self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
Under this agreement, MDL will be responsible for ship design, project management, and system integration. The company's extensive experience in constructing complex naval vessels such as destroyers and submarines is expected to play a crucial role in the LPD project. SDHI, on the other hand, will bring in its heavy fabrication facilities and shipbuilding infrastructure, which rank among the largest in the private sector.
The collaboration aligns with India's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiative, encouraging joint efforts between public and private sectors to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing. Both companies mentioned that the partnership would leverage their respective technical strengths and operational expertise to deliver the project efficiently and meet the Navy's strategic requirements.
MDL's Chairman and Managing Director noted that the collaboration marks a progressive step in India's shipbuilding landscape and that LPDs will significantly enhance the Navy's operational reach and versatility. SDHI's Director stated that the association would help develop technologically advanced and globally competitive platforms that meet the Navy's growing needs.
For context, the Indian Navy has been pursuing the acquisition of four LPDs, each with a displacement of around 20,000 tonnes, to expand its amphibious warfare capabilities. Previous tenders and discussions for such vessels have faced delays, primarily due to evolving procurement models and design requirements. MDL's partnership with SDHI is expected to streamline this process by combining public-sector experience with private-sector agility.
Industry experts believe that this collaboration could become a model for future large-scale defence manufacturing projects. It demonstrates how coordinated efforts between established public shipyards and emerging private firms can accelerate timelines, optimise costs, and boost local industry participation. If executed successfully, it may pave the way for stronger domestic capabilities in complex shipbuilding programs.
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