Modernisation and Security of Shipyards

Modernisation and Security of Shipyards

Government has plans to modernise and upgrade the shipyards where various types of warships and submarines are produced. A comprehensive assessment of the modernisation needs of the Defence Shipyards have been made based on the requirement of the ongoing and future Projects.

 The modernisation programme is intended not only to upgrade the existing infrastructure but also to expand their capacities in a significant manner and induct state of the art technology, so as to reduce build periods and increase productivity. 

Accordingly the DPSU Shipyards i.e. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) and Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) have embarked on a comprehensive modernisation programme. Details are as under:-

MDL:

MDL has undertaken the ‘Mazdock Modernisation Program’ at a cost of Rs.966.88 Cr. The modernisation included creation of Module Workshop, 300 Ton Goliath Crane, New Wet Basin and Cradle Assembly Shop.

 MDL, with the completion of the modernisation program is aiming for a paradigm shift in Warship construction i.e. construction from unit assembly to block assembly enabling ‘Integrated Modular Construction’. This would substantially reduce the construction/building periods.

Post modernisation, the capacity of outfitting has increased from hitherto 3 warships 5 Warships and from 3 submarines to 6 submarines. The submarine building capacity is being further enhanced by constructing additional submarine related infrastructure.

GRSE:

The modernisation Plan which was focused on enabling modular construction has been completed at a financial outlay of Rs.606 Cr. GRSE is now capable of constructing concurrently multiple large modern ships. GRSE modernisation plan included creation of the following facilities:-

• Modern hull shop, upgradation of TRIBON ship design software, augmenting capacity of inclined berth, shipbuilding shop etc.

• Dry Dock of 10,000 Ton capacity, inclined berth of 4500 Ton capacity, Pier Quay and associated works & systems.

• Goliath Crane of 250 Ton capacity.

• Module Hall, Paint Cell & Equipment.

GSL:

GSL has undertaken a planned modernisation programme and is in the process of creating infrastructure for indigenous construction of MCMVs (Mine Counter Measure Vessels) for Indian Navy. Infrastructure modernisation plan is being implemented in four phases of which Phase 1&2 has been completed in March 2011. 

Work for balance phases are in progress. On completion of modernisation plan, GSL will have the capacity to build high technology glass-fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) hull Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs) indigenously with the help of foreign technology provider. In addition, this will also substantially enhance the rate of production and shipbuilding capacity of the yard.

Post modernisation:-

• GSL will overcome the constraints in terms of launch weight restriction by installation of 6000 Ton shiplift & transfer system with associated civil structures (i.e. improvement from the existing 1500 Ton to 6000 Ton capacity).

• There will be addition of construction berths for Offshore Patrol Vessels (from 1 to 3 for OPV size ships).

• Augmentation of Jetty Berthing Space (from 4 wet berths to 10 wet berths).

• Augmented material handling & crane capacity (addition of new workshop cranes from 5 Ton to 80 Ton capacity).

• New Level Luffing outdoor cranes upto 60 Ton Lifting capacity, two new block transporters of 100 Ton capacity.

• Increased repair capability with two berths for repairs of ships upto 6000 Ton and rationalisation of layout and material flow for efficient modular construction methodology.

HSL:

Currently the Repair and Refurbishment of Machinery & Infrastructure (RRMI) to modernise and upgrade the shipyard is under progress. The RRMI activities are being carried out progressively to meet the requirement for construction of future platforms.

The Government regularly reviews the security of the defence factories and shipyards. Periodic ‘Industrial Security Inspection’ of the DPSUs is carried by IB. Progress report on the observations of IB report are submitted every six months by the defence factories and shipyards to IB / MHA. The Department of Defence Production, has also uploaded a ‘Security Manual’ for the licensed Defence Industry on its website

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply to Shri Sunil Kumar Mondal in Lok Sabha today.

PTI

The "dry dock queen" undocks from HSL ready to guard the nation waters

INS Sindukriti Sails out for "Full Power" Trials  

       The Indian navy’s depleting underwater fleet has received a major boost with ‘INS Sindhukriti’ a Kilo class submarine entering final ‘full-power trials’ from Friday off the Vishakhapatnam coast. The submarine was stuck in a refit for almost a decade at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Vishakhapatnam. The refit of the submarine began way back in 2006 at HSL, which would enable more advanced systems to be fitted on it. During the refit the submarine was to receive modernized control systems, weapon systems, sonar and other associated electrical systems. Aged well over two decades the submarine’s hull was set to be repaired and refitted to maintain the stealth.

      INS Sindhukriti was acquired from the Russians in early 1990’s and served the navy till 2006 after which she entered a midlife refit. The refit of INS Sindhukriti gained significance with it being the biggest-ever repair of a submarine undertaken in any shipyard in the country. The submarine was to be handed over to the Navy in less than three years after refit. The government for the first time had opted out of the option of sending submarines abroad for medium refits. But the planned refit turned disastrous as HSL kept negotiating with the deadline. HSL contributes this delay to Russia pulling foot with supplying modern technology to India.

     Furthermore HSL had zero experience, describing the delay in refit process the then CNS Sureesh Mehta had clarified “That kind of expertise did not exist in India before and this is for the first time that we are trying it out here. Instead of sending them to Russia all the way, this one is being offloaded to Hindustan Shipyards. There are some problems in their procurement procedures. It takes a little longer than is expected". The submarine will enter the navy after being docked for almost a decade. The submarine was fondly called the “dry dock” queen.

        Even though docked for a decade the submarine has received the latest control and weapon systems. The submarine is now fitted with the highly advanced indigenously developed USHUS sonar system, the sonar system is considered to be far superior to the Russian variant. The sonar system is developed by NPOL and is believed to be  fitted out on the Arihant class submarines. BEL (Bharat Electronics) has filed its CCS Mk-II an composite communication system. These systems are a new generation of communication system built specially for naval ships, the system enables data exchange in a more secured and encrypted means. Kirloskar Pneumatic Company ltd (KPCL) has pitched in with an upgraded 400 bar HP air compressor.

      The submarine has got advanced control systems and navigational package from Russia. The submarine has also received 100km of cabling and 30km of mostly high pressure piping has been renewed. Russia has provided the Klub-S 3M-54E1 land attack missile with a range of around 300 km. The missile can be fired from the submarine’s torpedo tubes. The Klub weapon system will now be coupled with Type 53-65 passive wake homing torpedo and TEST 71/76 anti-submarine, active-passive homing torpedo and the 9M36 Sterla-3 SAM launchers.

Article by Karthik Kakoor