Chennai:
(Military Sealift Command’s rescue and salvage ship USNS Salvor, the first vessel which arrived at the Kattupalli shipyard for repairs after the signing of MSRA)
United States warships are likely to undergo repairs in Larsen and Toubro's shipyard in Kattupalli port in Chennai as per the landmark five-year master shipyard repair agreement (MSRA) signed last month between the US Navy and Larsen & Toubro.Curently, the shipyard is providing repairs for United States Navy's Civil Command ships.
This could mean that Chennai could become the hub for carrying out repairs of United States Ships (USS) or warships along with Civil Command ships highlighting the importance of Chennai being considered a strategic location for the Americans.
US Embassy's Office of Defense Cooperation Chief Capt. Michael L Farmer said MSRA does allow USS commissioned vessels including those in the conflict. He, however, rejected that the Kattupalli shipyard could be used as a US naval base.
"USS ships could visit Kattupalli in future, if the two governments work out an arrangement. US ships would also come for the work like mid corrosion control and others. Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikrant uses LM2500, the same kind of engines used by US Navy. There is quite a bit of experience from Indian manufacturers and as a result the shipyard could be used for a variety of ships. For the time being, we are using US Navy civil command ships," said Farmer.
He was speaking after Military Sealift Command's rescue and salvage ship, USNS Salvor, arrived at the Kattupalli shipyard becoming the first vessel to come for repairs after the signing of MSRA accord. The ship, the third from the US Navy civil command in the last nine months, arrived on Sunday for steel work repair. The other two vessels that arrived include USNS Charles Drew and USNS Matthew Perry.
On whether the US is looking at shipyards in western part of India to cater to US naval ships, Farmer said that they are keen on working with India and it is possible in the future to have services in other ports as they meet the status of MSRA. According to sources, US is looking at public sector undertakings, Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) and Goa Shipyard, to allow the service and repair of the country's mid-voyage vessels.
Farmer said US Navy ships coming from Africa would be looking into facilities in Mumbai and Goa. Unlike the Seventh Fleet of the US, the Fifth Fleet could not arrange something for ships coming from Central command operations which include the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean in Mumbai. This would mean Indian shipyards would be catering to US Navy vessels from both Pacific Command and Central Command.
Farmer said geopolitically, Kattupalli port is a good spot for vessels transitioning from Bay of Bengal and those operating in this part of Indo-Pacific command. He also highlighted the quality of service provided by Larsen and Toubro shipyard.
US Consul General in Chennai Judith Ravin said MSRA is a legally non-binding arrangement between the US Navy and private shipbuilding contractors to pre-approve shipyards to repair US Naval vessels. "The MSRA involves a rigorous vetting process. For instance, the contractor must be able to complete 55% or more of the work package of a vessel; own facilities; utilise its own shops and workforce; maintain a track record of a safe working environment; and be capable of subcontracting to provide adequate oversight of the voyage repair," she said.
Earlier, USNS Salvor was welcomed with a ceremony at L&T Shipyard on Monday. Journalists were taken into the 40-year-old rescue and salvage ship. The cold war era vessel has been digitally upgraded. L&T defense business executive vice-president and head AT Ramchandani and senior US Embassy were present.
No comments:
Post a Comment