India will serve as a maintenance hub for U.S. Navy ships in the Indo-Pacific, according to a joint U.S.-India statement issued on the sidelines of G20 in New Delhi.
President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the signing of a Master Ship Repair Agreement between the U.S. Navy and Mumbai-based Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders, Ltd in August. This is the second agreement this year between the Navy and Indian shipyards – the first being with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in June.
These agreements are part of a larger Navy effort seeking shipyards in the Indo-Pacific to maintain and repair forward-based assets.
These two yards construct some of the Indian Navy’s largest and most advanced warships. According to the joint statement, leaders also “welcomed further commitments from U.S. industry to invest more in India’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities and facilities for aircraft.”
In 2022, USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE-10) docked at L&T shipyard in Kattupalli, Chennai, marking the first time a U.S. vessel was maintained and repaired in an Indian shipyard.
Since then, two more U.S. vessels, USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE-9) in March of 2023 and USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52) in July of 2023, have docked in L&T’s Kattupalli shipyard for maintenance and repairs.
Washington and New Delhi have been deepening security and defense ties amid tensions across the Indo-Pacific, facing common issues and interests regarding China. From the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue to increased multilateral engagement with U.S. allies Japan and Australia, India has taken a more proactive role in regional security.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
