Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Brazilian Navy and the Indian Navy to exchange information related to the maintenance of Scorpène class submarines and other military ships. The agreement, signed on 09 December 2025, covers cooperation on procurement opportunities, exchange of experiences in defence industries, and partnerships in research, development and technological innovation.
The agreement formalises information sharing on maintenance, logistics and training for Scorpène-class submarines — a critical capability for both India and Brazil as operators of the same class of complex diesel-electric submarines. This can help both navies maintain higher submarine availability and readiness over the long term. The formal exchange of maintenance data can help each country enhance its technical base and reduce foreign dependence for key sustainment tasks.
The MoU is part of a broader India–Brazil defence relationship that has been building over several years. It aligns with strategic discussions at high levels, including defence dialogues, naval visits and a strategic roadmap agreed during Prime Minister Modi’s 2025 visit to Brazil, with defence listed as one of five priority pillars.
While this MoU is focused on maintenance and information exchange, it can serve as a foundation for deeper industrial collaboration, including joint training centres, co-development of sustainment technology, or coordinated submarine modernization efforts. Similar defence partnerships elsewhere have opened avenues for joint production or third-party sales.
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited is a government-owned shipyard based in Mumbai that specialises in building warships and submarines for the Indian Navy. Its portfolio includes destroyers, frigates and Scorpène class submarines constructed under technology transfer agreements. The company also undertakes ship repairs and refits and has been a key supplier to India’s maritime defence programmes for several decades.
