The US Navy has awarded a contract to L&T’s Kattupalli shipyard for the maintenance and repair of the Charles Drew.
Published Aug 08, 2022 | 1:59 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 08, 2022 | 2:09 PM
US Navy vessel Charles Drew docked at the L&T Kattupalli shipyard for repair works. (Supplied)
Adding a new dimension to the burgeoning Indo-US strategic partnership, the US Navy Ship (USNS) Charles Drew arrived at Larsen &Toubro’s (L&T) Kattupalli Shipyard in Chennai on Sunday, 7 August, for repair works and allied services. This is the first ever repair of a US ship in India.
At the 2+2 ministerial dialogue in April, India and the US agreed to explore the possibilities of using Indian shipyards for maintenance works and repairs of US Navy vessels.
Subsequently, the US Navy awarded a contract to L&T’s Kattupalli Shipyard for maintenance of the Charles Drew, and according to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, the ship would be docked at the yard for 11 days.
Terming the event as a red-letter day for the Indian shipbuilding industry and the Indo-US defence relationship, Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar said the initiative assumed special significance in furthering the strategic partnership between the two countries.
“It marks the beginning of a new chapter for deeper engagements,” he said.
“Today, India has six major shipyards with a turnover of nearly $2 billion. We have our own design house capable of making all kinds of state-of-the-art ships,” said Kumar.
He added that the arrival of the US Navy vessel was “a sign of a maturing Indian shipbuilding industry”.
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 the rest of the global common system.
Indian delegates welcome the US Navy vessel Charles Drew to L&T’s Kattupalli Shipyard in Chennai. (Supplied)
Vice-Chief of Naval Staff Vice-Admiral SN Ghormade, Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area Rear Admiral S Venkat Raman, and other senior officials from the Ministry of Defence visited the shipyard to welcome the US vessel.
Speaking about the inaugural repair of the Charles Drew in India, US Consul General Judith Ravin said, “It is a landmark development to be celebrated as a symbol of our strengthened US-India partnership.”
The L&T Kattupalli Shipyard, located around 40 km North of Chennai, has already built vessels for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, and is equipped with advanced technologies and facilities. One of the largest shipyards in Asia, Kattupalli is the only one with a ship lift.
Executive Council and Advisor to the CEO of L&T for Defense and Smart Technologies, JD Patil, said the Marine Sealift Command of the US Navy had undertaken a rigorous evaluation of select shipyards in India and cleared L&T for undertaking repairs on their vessels.
