Ministry of Defence Signs Rs 498.58 Crore Contract for INS Betwa Refit
The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract worth Rs 498.58 crore with Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Normal Refit and Re-powering of Indian Naval Ship Betwa. The contract was signed on November 11, 2026, in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh.
INS Betwa, a Brahmaputra-class frigate of the Indian Navy, will undergo a major propulsion system transformation under this contract. The project involves replacing the ship's existing steam-based propulsion system with a diesel-engine-based propulsion system. Additionally, the refit will include upgrading the vessel's combat capabilities through the installation of a modernized weapon suite, thereby significantly enhancing the ship's operational effectiveness.
This project is expected to strengthen indigenous capabilities in the ship repair and maintenance ecosystem, particularly in undertaking complex propulsion system transformation and modernization of naval platforms. The initiative will involve more than 50 MSMEs and generate significant employment opportunities across the Indian shipbuilding and ancillary industries. The contract provides a major impetus to the Government's vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make-in-India' while reinforcing the country's indigenous naval ship repair and maintenance capabilities.