CSL signs pact with Indian Navy for Air Defence Ship construction

Kochi, Jun 6 (UNI) Moving a step further in its prestigious project to construct the country's first indigenous Air Defence Ship (ADS) for the Indian Navy, the Cochin Shipyard Ltd. (CSL) has signed the Phase 1 contract with the Navy last month, CSL Chairman-cum-Managing Director M Jitendran said today.

The contract was signed on May 12, Cmde. Jitendran said while addressing a gathering at the Shipyard to mark the launch of the fifth in a series of 30,000 DWT six bulk carriers for M/s Clipper Group of Denmark and the keel laying of the last vessel in the series.

The Air Defnce Ship (ADS), with an approximately 37,500 metric tonnes displacement, is to be built at an estimated cost of about Rs 3,000 crore.

The concept design, defining the overall ship dimensions, evolution of hull form, general arrangement drawings, structure, stability, weight and space analysis and hydro-dynamic model tests have been completed, according to official sources.

The contracts for outsourcing activities related to propulsion system integration and detailed engineering and documentation have been signed. The contract for procurement of steel from SAIL has also been signed.

The construction of the ADS is likely to be take about seven years, making India one of the few countries in the world to have the capability to manufacture an aircraft carrier.

The Navy has projected a requirement of three aircraft carriers so that two aircraft carriers are operationally available at all times.

Presently, only one aircraft carrier INS Virat is in operation with the Navy.

UNI