Chennai, Aug 8 (Representative) Providing a huge boost to ‘Make in India’and ‘Aatmanirbharta in Defence’ and INDO-US relations andadding a new dimension to the burgeoning Indo-US strategicpartnership, US Navy Ship (USNS) ‘Charles Drew’ arrived atL&T’s Shipyard at Kattupalli near here for undertaking repairsand allied services, in the presence of US Consul GeneralMs Judith Ravin. This is the first ever repair of a US Navy ship in India has comefor repairs. The US Navy had awarded a contract to the Shipyard for undertakingmaintenance of the ship. The event signifies the capabilities of Indian shipyards in the global shiprepairing market. Indian shipyards offer wide ranging and cost-effective ship repair andmaintenance services, using advanced maritime technology platforms, according to a defence release.Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice AdmiralSN Ghormade, Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu and Puducherry NavalArea, Rear Admiral S Venkat Raman and other senior officials of the defenceministry visited the shipyard to welcome the vessel.
Consul General in Chennai Ms Judith Ravin and Defence Attaché at the USEmbassy at New Delhi Rear Admiral Michael Baker were also present. Terming the event as a red-letterday for the Indian ship building industryand the Indo-US defence relationship,Ajay Kumar said, “We are indeedpleased to welcome US Naval Ship USNS Charles Drew to India, formaking her voyage ready. India’s initiative also assumes specialsignificance in furthering the strategic partnership between India andthe US. It marks the beginning of a new chapter for deeper engagements”. She termed the arrival of USNS Charles Drew for repairs as a sign of a maturingIndian shipbuilding industry. “Today, India has six major shipyards with turnoverof nearly USD twoi 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-artships.The country’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant is a shining example of thegrowth of the Indian shipbuilding industry. Under the new innovation ecosystem,vessels capable of undertaking autonomous missions have been built by GoaShipyard Limited and some of our start-ups. The shipbuilding industry today isnot just carrying out conventional things, but is also amalgamating the latesttechnologies with it,” he said.
The Defence Secretary also asserted that the ties between India & US have beenexpanding in scale and scope and are based on common values&beliefs of anopen, inclusive and rule-based order in Indo-Pacific and rest of the global commonsystems. He said there has been a tremendous amount of traction in the defence industrycooperation 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 by800% 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 tothe Indian defence industry. He hoped that the defence exports will increasefurther in the times to come.Ms Judith Ravinsaid: “In April, at the US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, US Secretaryof State Antony Blinken and Secretary of DefenseLloyd Austin affirmed their intentionto explore utilising Indian shipyards for repairs on US Navy vessels. This inauguralrepair of USNS Charles Drewis a landmark development to be celebrated as a symbolof our strengthened US-India partnership.” Defence Attaché at the US Embassy at New Delhi Rear Admiral Michael Baker said “Our shipping industries positively contribute to a free and open Indo-Pacific bypartnering to deliver effective, efficient, and economical repair of military vessels.”Member of the Executive Council and Advisor to the CEO of L&T for Defence andSmart Technologies Shri JD Patil said, the Marine Sealift Command of the US Navyhad undtertaken rigorous evaluation of select shipyards in India and cleared L&Tfor undertaking repairs on their vessels. It is a recognition for the modern infrastructureat the shipyard built to global standards. The USNS Charles Drew will be at Kattupalli shipyard for a period of 11 days andundergo repairs in various areas.