INS Betwa Upgrade: The Indian Navy’s INS Betwa is set to receive a major upgrade under a new contract worth Rs 498.58 crore. The Defence Ministry has given the work to Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). The project will bring major changes to the warship’s engine system and weapons. The ship has also faced several serious accidents in the past. The latest upgrade is expected to improve its performance and help it remain useful for the Navy in the coming years.
INS Betwa To Get New Diesel Engine System And Modern Weapons
The contract was signed in New Delhi on Wednesday, November 11, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. Under the project, the Navy will replace the ship’s old steam-based propulsion system with a diesel-engine-based system. This will be one of the biggest changes to the warship’s existing machinery.
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Apart from the engine replacement, the ship will also receive a new and modernised weapons suite. These changes are expected to improve its combat abilities and make it more effective during naval operations.
The contract is officially for the normal refit and re-powering of INS Betwa. According to Cochin Shipyard’s stock exchange filing, the project is expected to take around two years.
INS Betwa’s History Of Serious Accidents
INS Betwa is a Brahmaputra-class guided missile frigate. It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 7, 2004. During its service, the warship has faced some major accidents that caused serious damage.
One of its earlier incidents happened on January 8, 2014, when its sonar dome developed a crack. The sonar dome is an important part of the ship’s underwater detection system. The incident was also investigated by the Navy.
A much bigger accident took place on December 5, 2016, at the Mumbai Naval Dockyard. The ship slipped from its dock blocks while it was being moved out of the dock. It tipped over onto its port side and hit the ground. Two sailors lost their lives while 14 others were injured. The accident also caused heavy damage to the ship.
The Navy later took help from US-based Resolve Marine Group to bring the ship back to an upright position. The salvage work was completed in less than two months. INS Betwa was later repaired and returned to service.
Despite these problems, the warship continued to take part in important naval missions. It was involved in Operation Sukoon in 2006, when the Indian Navy helped evacuate people from Lebanon to Cyprus. In 2021, it also joined search and rescue operations after Cyclone Tauktae hit India’s western coast.
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Project To Support Make In India And Create Jobs
The new project is expected to give a major boost to India’s local ship repair and maintenance industry. More than 50 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are likely to take part in the work. It will also create employment opportunities in shipbuilding and other related industries.
The Defence Ministry said the project will support the government’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make-in-India’. It will also help Indian companies gain more experience in handling difficult engine replacement projects and upgrading naval ships without depending heavily on foreign services.
