New Delhi, Nov 11 (KNS): In a significant move to strengthen the Indian Navy's operational capabilities and promote indigenous defence manufacturing, the Ministry of Defence on Wednesday signed a contract worth Rs 498.58 crore with Cochin Shipyard Limited for the refit and modernisation of Indian Naval Ship (INS) Betwa.

The agreement, signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi, will see the Brahmaputra-class frigate undergo a major transformation of its propulsion system along with upgrades to its combat capabilities.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the project involves replacing the warship's existing steam-based propulsion system with a diesel-engine-based system, marking a significant technological upgrade aimed at enhancing its operational effectiveness.

The refit will also include the installation of a modernised weapon suite to strengthen the ship's combat capabilities and improve its operational readiness.

Officials said the project represents an important step towards strengthening India's indigenous expertise in complex naval ship repairs, propulsion system transformation and modernisation of existing warships.

The Ministry said the contract would provide a major boost to the country's ship repair and maintenance ecosystem by enabling domestic industries to undertake technically demanding upgrades of naval platforms.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The project is also expected to generate significant employment opportunities, with more than 50 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) likely to participate in various stages of the refit and modernisation work.

The involvement of these enterprises is expected to benefit the Indian shipbuilding sector and associated industries while strengthening the domestic supply chain for naval maintenance and modernisation.

The Ministry said the initiative aligns with the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India programmes, which aim to reduce dependence on foreign technology and strengthen domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.

The modernisation of INS Betwa is expected to enhance the warship's operational effectiveness while further developing India's capacity to undertake complex propulsion upgrades and combat system improvements within the country.

The Defence Ministry said the project would reinforce India's indigenous naval ship repair and maintenance capabilities and provide fresh momentum to the domestic defence industrial ecosystem. (KNS)