Source : Indian Defence News
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| INS Vikramaditya Aircraft Carrier at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) Dry Dock during mid-life refit |
Due to the country’s pendamic conditions, the Cochin Shipyard Limited has been delayed by a few months from getting a new dry dock on its campus at Thevara. The 310 metre long and 75 metre broad New Dry Dock, which is expected to cost Rs 1700 crores, will allow for the construction of enormous vessels, such as larger aircraft carriers and LNG carrying boats.
In preparation for its official induction later this month on India’s Independence Day, the PSU shipyard that was building the nation’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, recently handed over to the Indian Navy is now collaborating with the Indian Navy on the development of the country’s next-generation indigenous aircraft carrier.
The larger dry dock will be able to handle vessels up to Suezmax Ship Size, jack up rigs, LNG vessels, aircraft carriers with a 70,000 Ton displacement, etc. If the Indian Navy chooses so, CSL has also offered to deliver the Vikrant sister class aircraft carrier in five years. However, due to financial constraints, the Indian Navy is not only looking to develop a 65000–70000T displacement aircraft carrier, but also a 55000–60000T displacement aircraft carrier that will be an enlarged version of the current 45000T design.
