Launch of Y-12654
Mahendragiri
Mahendragiri, the seventh Stealth Frigate of Project 17A
being built at MDL, was launched on 1 September 2023 at the shipyard. Project
17A Frigates are the follow-on class of the Project 17 (Shivalik Class)
Frigates, with improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors and
platform management systems. Seven Project 17A Frigates are under various
stages of construction at MDL and GRSE. The design of advanced stealth frigates
also showcases the prowess of the Warship Design Bureau, in designing
technologically advanced warships for the Indian Navy. With the launch, the
Nation's indigenous expertise and engineering capabilities receives a major
boost, reducing India's dependence on foreign suppliers, promoting
self-reliance and fostering a robust defence industrial base. Over 75% of the
orders of Project 17A have been
placed on indigenous firms including MSMEs.
HSL
in contract for 5 FSS for IN
Ministry
of Defence, on 25 August 2023, signed a contract with Hindustan Shipyard
Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam for acquisition of five Fleet Support Ships (FSS)
for the Indian Navy at an overall cost of approx Rs 19,000 crore. The FSS will
be employed for replenishing ships at sea with fuel, water, ammunition and
stores, enabling the Indian Naval Fleet to operate for prolonged periods
without returning to harbour. These ships would enhance the strategic reach and
mobility of the Fleet and induction of these ships will significantly
enhance the blue water capability of the Indian Navy. The ships can also be
deployed for evacuation of people and human assistance and disaster relief
(HADR) operations. The Fleet Support Ships of 44,000 tons will be the
first of its kind to be built in India by an Indian Shipyard. This project will
generate employment of nearly 168.8 lakh mandays over a period of eight years.
GRSE
launches its Neerakshi AUV
Kolkata based Defence PSU Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, launched an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) on 28 July 2023. In a pioneering move towards the development of AUVs, GRSE has collaborated with Aerospace Engineering Private Ltd. (AEPL). The AUV was named Neerakshi (meaning Eyes in the Water).
The lightweight and man-portable AUV has been designed to operate in a totally autonomous manner and its modular design enables it to carry out a variety of roles depending on the payload. The 2.15m long AUV will have an endurance of nearly 4 hours and is capable of operating up to a depth of 300m. These AUVs once in operation by the Armed Forces, could play an important role in mine countermeasure operations and also make excellent reusable targets during Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) practices by warships.
Launch of 2nd MCA Barge, Yard 76
(LSAM 8)
The second Missile Cum Ammunition
(MCA) Barge, Yard 76 (LSAM 8) was launched by Cmde G Ravi, Warship Production
Superintendent (Visakhapatnam) on 18
August 2023 at Guttenadeevi, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh
(launch site of SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd). Contract for construction
of 8 x MCA Barge was concluded with SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd,
Visakhapatnam, a MSME, in consonance with "Aatmanirbhar Bharat"
initiatives of the Government of India. This Barge is being built with a
service life of 30 years.
Launch
of DSC A 20 (Yard 325)
‘DSC A 20’ (Yard 325), the first ship of Five (5) Diving Support Craft
(DSC) project being built by Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL), Kolkata
(formerly known as Titagarh Wagons Ltd (TWL)) for Indian Navy, was launched on 31 August 2023 at Titagarh, Kolkata (WB) onto
Hooghly River. Contract
for building five Diving Support Craft (DSC) was signed between MoD and Titagarh
Wagons Ltd (TWL), Kolkata on 12 February 2021. These
ships are designed to undertake operational/training diving operations
in harbours and coastal waters. They are 30m long catamaran hull ships, with a displacement of
approx 300 tons. All five DSC are anticipated to be delivered to Indian Navy in
FY 2024-25.
Keel
laying of 4 Coast Guard FPVs
Goa Shipyard Limited witnessed the Keel Laying Ceremony of 4 Coast
Guard FPVs and Inauguration of GSL Integrated Stores Complex on 25 August 2023.
It has an overall Length of 51.43 mtrs, Breadth is 8 mtrs, Draft is 2.15 mtrs
and complement of 42 that includes 7 Officers and 35 Sailors. The ship is
propelled with twin engine, with CPP arrangement with maximum speed of 27
Knots. It has endurance of 1500 Nautical Miles at Cruising speed (12-14 Knots)
with 25% reserve fuel. Displacement of the vessel is approximately 320 tons.
