Indian Navy Discussions and Updates

[Ananda]

From Buyer to Builder: The Indian Navy’s Rocky Road to Self-Reliance

From Buyer to Builder: The Indian Navy’s Rocky Road to Self-Reliance

www.orfonline.org

More notable has been RNEL’s failure to deliver the Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV)project.[59]A May 2011 contract with the shipyard—then known as Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Company Ltd (PDOEL)—called for deliveries of NOPVs to commence in November 2014 at six-month intervals. By July 2017, RNEL was under considerable financial strain, and could only launch two hulls. Planned deliveries slated to take place from the end of 2018 did not materialise, although the shipyard did build a third NOPV hull sans superstructure by late October 2018.[60] Soon, the navy moved to take “punitive action” against the company, in the form of liquidated damages to the tune of 10 percent of contract value.[61] Whereas RNEL filed for an insolvency proceeding before the Ahmadabad bench of the National Company Law Tribunal, the GoI deferred its decision to cancel Reliance Naval warships deal to allow for a company revival plan.[62]

Found this article couple years back, and in my opinion quite honest assessment on the problem face by Indian Shipyard and basically more honest then what you can find in most Indian forums and online media. It is basically put that India yards face not only bureaucratic problems (as much of India it self), but also shipyards that facing efficiency issue, technology catching up, and economics of scale (compare to East Asian Yards).

It's lengthy article but for me somethings that most Asian Yard outside East Asia face. Related to Reliance yard seems the Navy decide to cut losses on the program. However seems final verdict being postponed with Yard revival plan. That kind of language ussualy means the contract dispute will be hold until new investors come and revive the yard under new management. At least that's the language that many contract holders put when they await potential new investors.

The Indian forums not surprisingly not much talk in this matter. Not surprising as many over nationalistic Bharat enthusiasts does want to talk failures projects. However I suspect if there're no new management and investors taking over, then Navy will cut losses by discarded the ships under projects. In some way this is has similarities with Malaysian Boulstead situation. MinDef and government only want to proceed when new management and investors taking over.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

That is my question. Yes, the contract was cancelled and the program was replaced with Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel.

But two of the ships were launched, and largely completed. They were never accepted into IN service and are currently languishing there.

Hopefully another shipyard can take over the unfinished vessels and complete the construction. It is such a waste if they end up on the scrapyard. Even if the Indian Navy doesn't need them anymore, the coastguard can take them over, or India can export them.

 

[koxinga]

The good news is the assets of RNEL has been acquired by Hazel Mercantile using a special purpose vehicle, Swan Energy (SWEL), as at April 2024.

From my research, it appears that their first tasks is to complete and sell off some of these assets. So we will see them on the market, and I've heard interest in some quarters.

Hazel Mercantile Limited completed the acquisition of Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited

Hazel Mercantile Limited agreed to acquire Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited on December 16, 2021. Hazel Mercantile Limited will issue 2.68 million shares in the ratio of 1 fresh equity share...

in.marketscreener.com

https://www.business-standard.com/markets/capital-market-news/swan-energy-update-on-acquisition-of-reliance-naval-engineering-124050900453_1.html

 

[ASSAIL]

This struck a chord. As an ex CO of TS Broome (in my dotage)I wish our Naval Cadets were as well trained, drilled and popular as these below, well done Indian Navy.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/1716054335149928/permalink/7787564764665491/?

 

[Ananda]

INS Brahmaputra and more: Why are India's warships so prone to fire in peacetime, and at home?

Following the INS Brahmaputra fire, which left the warship heavily damaged and a sailor missing, the Indian Navy faces renewed scrutiny over its safety protocols and operational readiness

www.firstpost.com

Severe accident fire engulf Indian Navy Frigates INS Brahmaputra. This is not a new Warship, however this is lead ship of the class, indigenous design and build base on modified Leander design.

The incident now raise questions on the safety protocols on Indian Navy. Considering India try to catch up with PLAN and try continuing it's leads over Pakistan Navy, the build up seems also domestically being questions on the safety practices. The article above also put lists of accidents on Indian Navy this last decades.

Video news on the INS Brahmaputra situation, with fire in it's berth on Mumbai dockyard during what's being call routine maintenance.

 

[swerve]

Well. the USN managed to burn out an LHD which was tied up alongside & undergoing maintenance . . . .

 

[Ananda]

The problem is not because this incident, but right now the question more arise on the string of incidence this past decade has made in Indian Navy practice.

Navy chief reviews damage to INS Brahmaputra | India News - Times of India

India News: NEW DELHI: Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi on Tuesday visited Mumbai to review the overall state of guided-missile frigate INS Brahmaputra, which.

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

This seems what Indian media now raising question. As for Brahmaputra it self, too soon to call on the potential salvage. However seems indication at least by some Indian media is close to total loss. It's still one of India main Frigate and it is not slote to be replace soon. Means it loses bite more on Indian Navy Frigates readiness.