Cochin Shipyard refits INS Vikramaditya ahead of schedule

Dispelling all doubts, Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) refitted the largest Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya a month ahead of schedule.

INS Vikramaditya is one of the biggest ships owned by India and ever to have docked in India till date.

"The Cochin Shipyard Limited dispelled doubts that CSL could repair the largest Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, when on November, 5, 2016, the refit was completed a month ahead of schedule," the Ministry of Shipping said in a statement.

This aircraft carrier was purchased from Russia and commissioned into the naval fleet in 2014.

In September, the Navy, one of CSL's biggest clients, decided to dry-dock the carrier attached to Karwar Naval Base at CSL for repairs on contracted schedule of 70 days.
 

"It was clearly an opportunity for CSL to prove that India had the infrastructure as well as expertise for the task," the government said.

This will also ensure readiness and preparedness with an indigenous capability in the case of an emergency, without having to face the embarrassment of sending the ship outside the country for repairs.

Rajesh Gopalakrishnan, General Manager (Ship Repair Division) at CSL, said, "Till INS Vikramaditya docked in Cochin Shipyard and water was pumped out of the dock and we had her sitting safely, there was a real concern on whether India could do it."

The statement said CSL tasked IIT Chennai with undertaking a detailed dock floor strength analysis to prove that the CSL dock indeed had the capacity to accommodate loads of this nature.

The work package was contracted and scheduled for 70 days, but certain operational requirements called for significant compression of the time-frame and the ship was un-docked and taken out of the yard in 42 days, it said.