Ministry of Defence Signs ₹498.58 Crore Contract with Cochin Shipyard for INS Betwa Refit

The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract worth ₹498.58 crore with Cochin Shipyard Limited for the normal refit and re-powering of the Indian Navy ship Betwa. The agreement was finalized in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

Under the terms of the contract, INS Betwa, a Brahmaputra-class frigate, will undergo a major propulsion system transformation. The existing steam-based propulsion system will be replaced with a diesel-engine-based propulsion system. Additionally, the refit includes the upgradation of the ship's combat capabilities through the installation of a modernized weapon suite to enhance its operational effectiveness.

First commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1960 as an indigenously designed and built guided missile frigate with steam propulsion, INS Betwa previously returned upgraded in 2004 with an indigenously designed and developed Combat Management System to integrate weapons and sensors. The vessel later suffered critical damage during an accident at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai in December 2016, which necessitated life-saving repairs.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the current project will strengthen indigenous capabilities within the ship repair and maintenance ecosystem, particularly for complex propulsion transformations and naval platform modernizations. The undertaking is expected to involve more than 50 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and generate employment opportunities across the Indian shipbuilding and ancillary industries, aligning with domestic manufacturing and self-reliance initiatives.

"This major contract highlights the expanding commercial opportunities for Indian shipyards and MSMEs within the defense sector. By decentralizing project execution to involve over 50 ancillary industries, large-scale public sector investments create a robust supply chain ecosystem. For businesses operating in manufacturing and engineering, participating in defense modernization programs offers stable growth and validates technical capabilities in complex engineering tasks." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes