‘Aatmanirbharta in Defence’ boost: 1st USN Ship, Charles Drew, arrives at L&T’s Kattupalli shipyard for repairs
- Defence Secretary terms it a red-letter day for Indian shipbuilding industry
- ‘It marks the beginning of new chapter for deeper engagements between India & US’
New Delhi. In a huge boost to ‘Make in India’ & ‘Aatmanirbharta in Defence’ and adding a new dimension to the burgeoning Indo-US strategic partnership, US Navy Ship Charles Drew arrived at L&T’s Shipyard at Kattupalli, Chennai, on August 7 for repairs and allied services.
This is the first ever repair of a US Navy Ship in India. The US Navy had awarded a contract to the Kattupalli Shipyard for undertaking maintenance of the ship.
“The event signifies the capabilities of Indian shipyards in the global ship repairing market. Indian shipyards offer wide ranging and cost-effective ship repair and maintenance services, using advanced maritime technology platforms,” the Defence Ministry said.
Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral S.N. Ghormade, Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Naval Area Rear Admiral S. Venkat Raman and other senior officials of Ministry of Defence visited the shipyard to welcome the vessel. Consul General of US Embassy in Chennai Judith Ravin and Defence Attaché at the US Embassy at New Delhi Rear Admiral Michael Baker were also present.
Terming the event as a red-letter day for the Indian shipbuilding industry and the Indo-US defence relationship, Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar said: “We are indeed pleased to welcome US Naval Ship USNS Charles Drew to India, for making her voyage ready. India’s initiative also assumes special significance in furthering the strategic partnership between India and the US. It marks the beginning of a new chapter for deeper engagements.”
Ajay Kumar described the arrival of the ship as a sign of a maturing Indian shipbuilding industry.
“Today, 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.
“Under the new innovation ecosystem, vessels capable of undertaking autonomous missions have been built by Goa Shipyard Limited and some of our start-ups. The shipbuilding industry today is not just carrying out conventional things, but is also amalgamating the latest technologies with it,” he said.
The Defence Secretary also asserted that the ties between India and the US have been expanding in scale and scope and are based on common values and beliefs of an open, inclusive and rule-based order in the Indo-Pacific and rest of the global common systems.
He added that there has been a tremendous amount of traction in the defence industry cooperation over the last couple of years between the two countries.
“Indian defence exports have seen a massive increase in the last four-five years. Exports, which were worth about Rs 1,500 crore in 2015-16, have now grown by 800 per cent to around Rs 13,000 crore. A major destination for Indian exports is the US,” Ajay Kumar said, thanking the US partners for their cooperation and support to the Indian defence industry. He hoped that the defence exports will increase further in the times to come.
Consul General Judith Ravin called it as a new leaf in the Indo-US strategic relationship, signifying the deepening bonds between the two nations.
Member of the Executive Council and Advisor to the L&T CEO for Defence and Smart Technologies J.D. Patil said the Marine Sealift Command of the US Navy had undertaken rigorous evaluation of select shipyards in India and cleared L&T for undertaking repairs of its vessels. It is a recognition of the modern infrastructure at the shipyard built to global standards.
The Charles Drew will be at Kattupalli for 11 days and undergo repairs in various areas.
