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 largest 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 built 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.

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 is also building 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. And the second ship ‘INS KOCHI’ was launched using Pontoon Assisted Launching in Sept 2009.

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. MDL has built and delivered nine such vessels.

MDL has developed a wide range of products for the commercial sector and has constructed a variety of ships ranging from one Diving Support Vessel & one Multipurpose Support Vessel for ONGC 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. Presently MDL is building a specialised 2000 cu.m / hour cutter suction dredger for the Dredging Corporation of India. The company won the order against global competition.

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 executing an export project of building two Multipurpose Support Vessels for M/s GGOSPL, Singapore. The first vessel “GREATSHIP LAXMI” was launched in February 2010.

The shipyard has long standing experience associating with all international classification societies both for new construction and ship repairs. The management of MDL welcomes trans-national 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.