|
MDL
has constructed a variety of ships both for the defence and the commercial
sector.
The first
modern warship to be built by the company was the Leander Class frigate
“INS NILGIRI". Its design was obtained from the British Admiralty and
the frigate itself was built in collaboration with M/s. Vickers Ltd. and
M/s. Yarrow (Shipbuilders) Ltd. of U.K. The NILGIRI was launched in
October, 1968 and commissioned in 1972. During the next nine years
Mazagon Dock built and delivered five more frigates in this class for
the Indian Navy. Indian Naval Ships Nilgiri, Himgiri, Udaygiri,
Dunagiri, Taragiri and Vindhyagiri formed the main thrust package of the
Navy in the seventies and eighties.
As the construction
of the Leander series was nearing completion, the Navy evolved a design
for a new generation frigate. Mazagon Dock was responsible for making
all production drawings in respect of the new frigate. Unlike the
Leanders, the new frigate was Indian in concept, design and execution.
The ship was larger than the Leander frigate with about 25% more
displacement, and could embark two large helicopters. This new class
was christened as the "GODAVARI Class", and the first ship of the series
“INS GODAVARI” was launched in May 1980 and commissioned in December
1983. INS GANGA and INS GOMATI followed in 1985 and 1988. Further
construction of this class of warships was entrusted to GRSE, Kolkatta,
with lead yard services being provided by MDL.
Subsequently,
construction of the destroyer class Project-15 ships powered by gas
turbines was undertaken. These 6700-ton mammoth destroyer class of
warships were the biggest ships built in this part of the world. The
first of the class, `INS DELHI' was launched in February 1991 and
commissioned in November 1997; the second “INS MYSORE” was commissioned
in 1999. The third and last ship in the series "INS MUMBAI" joined the
Navy in January 2001.
Mazagon Dock has also
constructed two corvettes for the Navy. The Corvettes are smaller
warships displacing about 1500 tonnes. The first of the series, “INS
KHUKRI” was commissioned in August 1989 and the second, “INS KUTHAR” in
June 1990. “INS KIRCH” a corvette launched at GRSE, was fitted out and
completed at Mazagon Dock and commissioned in January 2001. Mazagon
Dock has also fabricated fast and powerful Missile Boats for the Navy.
Three missile boats INS VIBHUTI, INS VIPUL and INS NASHAK were
commissioned into the Navy between 1991 and 1994. A fourth boat, "INS
PRABAL" launched at the Shipyard in September 2000 was commissioned in
March 2002.
Mazagon Dock also
built and delivered a Cadet Training Ship for the Navy in March 1986. In
May 1984, Mazagon Dock was entrusted with the construction of
submarines. Two Submarines “INS SHALKI” and “INS SHAKTI” were
constructed in MDL under colloboration with HDW of Germany.
Presently, MDL is
building three, new generation stealth warships for the Navy, named
Project-17 frigates. The first ship in this class INS SHIVALIK was
launched in April-2003 the second INS SATPURA in June 2004 and the third
and last INS SAHYADRI was launched in May 2005. MDL has also begun
construction of three ships, of the follow-on to the DELHI Class of
destroyers. The first ship of this Class ‘INS KOLKATA’ was launched in
March 2006.
Besides warships for
the Navy, Mazagon Dock has also constructed a series of Offshore Patrol
Vessels for the Coast Guard. These vessels are specialised ships for
patrolling, policing, search and rescue operations in the Exclusive
Economic Zone of the country. They are also provided with capabilities
for pollution control and fire fighting and carry a helicopter on
board. The design of these vessels was entirely evolved at Mazagon
Dock. Seven Coast Guard Ships, INS VIKRAM, INS VIJAYA, INS VEERA, INS
VARUNA, INS VAJRA, INS VIVEK and INS VIGRAHA, which today form the
mainstay of the Coast Guard fleet, were built and delivered to the
Indian Coast Guard between December 1983 and March 1990. Follow on
vessels of this class have since been built at the Goa Shipyard under
lead yard services from MDL. Mazagon Dock has also completed the
construction of two series of Offshore Supply Vessels, comprising seven
ships, for the ONGC.
Construction of a new
series of Border Out Posts for the BSF has recently been undertaken by
MDL. The BOPs are floating police stations, each with four high-speed
boats. Out of an order for 14 BOPs, MDL has fabricated and delivered
nine so far.
MDL has developed a
wide range of products for the commercial sector and has constructed a
variety of ships ranging from Offshore Supply Vessels, and Harbour
Utility Vessels/Crafts such as Tugs-15 nos., Dredgers-11 nos., 9000 Cu.M.
Water Tankers-2 nos., Passenger cum Cargo Vessels-3 nos. and an
assortment of Support Vessels, Trawlers and Barges besides a Virtual
jetty and Floating cranes.
On the export front,
Mazagon Dock has achieved another `first'. It is the only shipyard in
India to have built a significant number of ships for foreign clients.
Since 1974-75, the company has built and supplied, vessels to Singapore,
the Iranian Navy, U.K., the Gulf and Mozambique. Recently, "Commandant
Mortenol" a 1600 Cu M sand dredger was built for a French Company
operating from Guadeloupe, an Island territory of France in Eastern West
Indies. Presently MDL is building a specialised dredger for the
Dredging Corporation of India. The company against global competition
won the order.
The shipyard has Long
standing experience in dealing with all international classification
societies both for new construction and ship repairs. The management of
MDL welcomes transnational collaborations for execution of technically
challenging projects on turnkey basis and has experience in operating
complex contracts involving many organisations and corporations in a
time bound manner.
As the lead defence
shipyard of India, MDL is committed to delivering Quality Ships, on
time.
Mazagon Dock has come
a long way from being a small repair yard in the late 18th
century to the country’s leading Defence Shipyard capable of meeting the
requirements of the Indian Navy towards its warship building programmes
including submarines. The current order book position makes MDL, one of
the most loaded shipyards in the world.
|
