The Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) on Friday morning handed over a refitted -made submarine to the Indian Navy, in what is a major order executed by the shipyard.

HSL Chairman and Managing Director Rear Admiral (Retd.) NK Mishra called it a memorable moment in the shipyard’s history, which had now proved its expertise in refitting submarines. HSL had taken nine years to complete the ₹900-crore project.

“It is the most potent, most modern submarine in the Navy. We are expecting another submarine refitting order from the Navy worth nearly ₹1200 crore,” he said.

Mishra said HSL had in January signed a memorandum of understanding with Hyundai Heavy Industries, Korea’s largest shipyard, to improve its functioning.

A team from Hyundai will visit HSL in July to study its processes and make recommendations for improvement. “It is a win-win situation for both,” he said.

The shipyard’s CMD said HSL was also building a strategic operating vessel (a sort of mini submarine) worth ₹3,000 crore. HSL had on its hands orders worth ₹1,500 crore for building 23 ships and ship repair orders worth ₹150 crore.

He said it was also expecting two major orders worth ₹8,000 crore for building two LPDs (landing platform docks) for the Navy, each costing ₹4,000 crore.

HSL was also expecting another major order worth ₹10,000 crore for building a fleet of support ships, Mishra said. “Earlier this month, I met the Defence Minister to discuss with him the future of the HSL and he has given me an assurance of full support from the ministry,” he added.

sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in

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