Construction of Air Defence Ship
(Source: Indian Press Information Bureau; issued May 11, 2005)
The Government has approved the indigenous construction of an Air Defence Ship of approximately 37,500 metric tones displacement at Cochin Shipyard Ltd, Kochi for the Indian Navy in January 2003 at an estimated cost of Rs. 2880 crores.
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. 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 aircraft carrier is likely to be completed by 2011 – 2012. India would be one of the few countries in the world who have the capability to manufacture an aircraft carrier. There is 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.
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in separate written replies to Shri Janardhana Poojary, Smt N P Durga, Shri Rama Muni Reddy Sirigireddy and Shri V Narayanasamy in Rajya Sabha today.
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