NEW DELHI: In a significant boost to the Indo-US strategic partnership, Kattupalli shipyard in Chennai created history by becoming the first in India to carry out repairs of a United States’ Navy Ship (USNS).
The United States Sealift Command’s Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Charles Drew arrived here on Saturday for undertaking Voyage Repair Availability (VRA) and allied services, and is likely to be here for 10 days.
The ship conducts “replenishments-at-sea” where it delivers critical supplies (food, fuel, spare parts, and mail) to US Navy ships.
The US Navy had awarded a contract to L&T’s shipyard at Kattupalli for maintenance of the ship after undertaking a reconnaissance of various shipyards.
This followed the ‘Two Plus Two’ ministerial dialogue between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken along with Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, with an Indian delegation led by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in April.
Terming the visit of USNS Charles Drew to Chennai for repair as a red letter day for India, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar said India’s defence exports, which were Rs 1,500 crore in 2015-16, have grown to Rs 13,000 crore — an increase of 800% — and the US is a major destination for Indian exports.
He added that India has six major shipyards with a turnover of nearly $2 billion.
“We are making ships not only for our own requirements. We have our own design house capable of making all kinds of state-of-the-art ships. The country’s first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant is a shining example of the growth of the Indian shipbuilding industry,” he said.
Dr Kumar also said India will develop marine diesel engines of the class of 6MW and above, and very soon, the RFP in this regard will be floated by the Indian Navy.
Within a couple of years, marine and diesel engines will be manufactured in India.
“Currently, India is importing marine diesel engines, and it is one of the important items for which we don’t have indigenous capability. The idea is to develop a diesel engine on Make-1 procedure by providing 70% of the cost for design and development of the engine,” he said.
Marine diesel engines are used on amphibious warfare ships like landing craft (LCU) main auxiliary engineering vessels, and tug boats. India produces marine diesel engines of less than 6MW.
Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral SN Ghormade, who was present on the occasion, said the Voyage Repair availability of USNS Charles Drew exhibits the level of mutual trust achieved so far and consolidates the status of the major defence partner.
He said the Indian Navy will be delighted to explore greater opportunities in collaboration and furtherance of the common aims of ensuring a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
US Consul General in Chennai Judith Ravin said the landmark development is to be celebrated as a symbol of strengthened US-India partnership.
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