Mumbai: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has promoted Mrs. Devi Nair to the position of General Manager (Technical), marking a historic first in the organisation’s more than 250-year legacy. With this elevation, she becomes the first woman to reach the rank of General Manager in the company’s history.
The promotion has been formally communicated as part of an internal senior management reshuffle, with the appointment made effective retrospectively from July 1, 2025.
Nearly 35 Years of Experience in Strategic Defence Design
Devi Nair brings with her an exceptional career spanning almost 35 years in the field of warship and submarine design. Over the decades, she has contributed extensively to India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities, particularly in complex naval engineering programs.
Her long-standing experience places her among the most seasoned professionals in the country’s strategic shipbuilding ecosystem, especially in areas critical to underwater and surface fleet development.
Internal Promotion Reflecting Talent-First Leadership
MDL has clarified that the appointment is an “Internal Promotion,” highlighting its focus on nurturing leadership from within the organisation. The decision reflects the company’s approach of:
- Recognising long-term performance and technical expertise
- Encouraging internal career progression
- Strengthening leadership continuity in key defence programmes
This promotion also underscores MDL’s emphasis on merit-based advancement in its technical and engineering divisions.
Strategic Timing Ahead of Project-75(I)
The leadership change comes at a crucial time as MDL prepares for the execution of the Project-75(I) submarine programme, one of India’s most significant underwater defence initiatives.
The project is expected to:
- Enhance India’s underwater combat capabilities
- Strengthen indigenous defence production
- Support the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing
Devi Nair’s expertise in submarine and warship design is expected to contribute meaningfully to such high-value strategic programmes.
A Milestone for Women in Defence Engineering
The appointment of Devi Nair also represents a broader shift in India’s defence manufacturing landscape, where increasing participation of women professionals is being observed in highly specialised engineering domains.
Her achievement is seen as an important milestone not only for MDL but also for:
- Naval architecture and marine engineering sectors
- Defence production ecosystem in India
- Women leadership in technical and strategic industries
About Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited is one of India’s leading defence public sector shipyards, engaged in the construction of warships and submarines for the Indian Navy. Based in Mumbai, MDL plays a critical role in strengthening India’s maritime defence capabilities through indigenous design, engineering, and shipbuilding excellence.
