The central government approved the transfer of the Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) - a government-owned enterprise located in Visakhapatnam from Ministry of Shipping to the Ministry of Defence. A press Release issued by the Government stated that the transfer of shipyard would enable the Defence Ministry to meet “national security requirements of building strategic vessels for Indian Navy.” The decision which came after the concerns expressed by the Navy about delay in constructing tactical submarines, is expected to boost the submarine and other shipbuilding activities. The MoD will have four dedicated shipyards under its direct control – Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL), Garden Reach Shipbuilding and Engineers (GRSE) and Mazagon Dock Ltd (MDL) and HSL as a result of this transfer.1

• 1. Government of India, Cabinet, ‘Transfer of Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam to Ministry of Defence and setting up of a new shipyard of international standards by Ministry of Shipping’, Press Release, December 24, 2009