The Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) provided quality assurance services during the recent refit of an EKM-class submarine by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), which was completed on 21 July 2025. According to IRS, the project marked the fastest-ever completion of a “normal refit” for this class of submarine and involved comprehensive inspections of the hull, machinery, and electrical systems.
As part of a strategic partnership between IRS and HSL, the classification society was appointed to oversee quality assurance in accordance with an approved QA plan. According to IRS, this marked the first instance of a classification society in India being engaged in a submarine refit project.
The refit involved coordination with the Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam and the Eastern Naval Command and was aimed at enhancing the operational availability of Indian Navy submarine assets. IRS conducted inspections across various systems to ensure compliance with quality and safety protocols during the refit.
IRS stated that its involvement from the outset helped ensure quality and safety benchmarks were met in line with naval expectations. The organization also noted that the collaboration demonstrates its capacity to support complex defence assignments and contributes to India’s self-reliance in strategic sectors.
An IRS official added that the classification society remains committed to delivering QA services in support of Indian defence and paramilitary projects and aims to strengthen its cooperation in these areas.
The Indian Register of Shipping is a classification society that provides certification, inspection, and technical advisory services across the marine, offshore, and defence sectors.
