World · India Bureau
Defence Ministry awards ₹498 crore contract for INS Betwa modernisation
The Indian Navy's Brahmaputra-class frigate INS Betwa will undergo a significant propulsion system overhaul under a newly signed defence contract. The refit programme aims to replace the vessel's aging steam-based engines with a modern diesel propulsion system.
LSN India ·
India's Defence Ministry has inked a ₹498 crore contract for the comprehensive refurbishment of INS Betwa, marking a major step in extending the operational life of one of the Navy's key frontline assets. The Brahmaputra-class frigate will be transformed through the replacement of its existing steam-based propulsion architecture with a contemporary diesel engine-based system, according to official statements from the Defence Ministry.
The modernisation initiative represents a strategic investment in maintaining the operational capability of India's naval fleet. The shift from steam to diesel propulsion is expected to enhance fuel efficiency, reduce maintenance requirements, and improve the vessel's overall performance characteristics. Such upgrades are critical for aging warships seeking to remain combat-effective in contemporary maritime operations.
INS Betwa, commissioned in the mid-1990s, has served as a cornerstone of the Indian Navy's surface combat fleet for nearly three decades. The refit contract underscores the government's commitment to sustaining and upgrading existing defence assets rather than relying solely on new acquisitions. The project will be executed by designated defence and shipbuilding agencies tasked with implementing the propulsion system transformation.