Indian Navy's INS Betwa to get diesel propulsion system in Rs 500-crore refit

The Ministry of Defence has signed a Rs 498.58-crore contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited for the normal refit and re-powering of Indian Navy's INS Betwa, involving a major overhaul of the frigate's propulsion system and an upgrade of its combat capabilities.

The project will see the Brahmaputra-class frigate's existing steam-based propulsion system replaced with a diesel-engine-based system, alongside the installation of a modernised weapon suite.

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The transformation is aimed at enhancing the warship's operational effectiveness while strengthening India's indigenous capabilities in undertaking complex naval repairs, propulsion upgrades and platform modernisation.

The contract was signed in New Delhi on November 11 in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

The project is expected to involve more than 50 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and generate employment across India's shipbuilding and ancillary industries, the Ministry of Defence said.

It is also expected to provide a boost to the country's ship repair and maintenance ecosystem, particularly its ability to undertake complex propulsion system transformations on naval platforms.

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The ministry said the project would support the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives by reinforcing indigenous capabilities in naval ship repair and maintenance.