The US naval ship Charles Drew landed at the Larsen & Toubro shipyard in Kattupalli on Sunday for maintenance and other services, giving the Indo-US strategic alliance a boost. An official announcement stated that the US Navy has given the L&T Shipyard a contract to maintain the ship. The occasion demonstrates the nation’s shipyards’ competence in the international ship repair industry.
Indian shipyards use cutting-edge marine technology platforms to provide comprehensive and reasonably priced ship repair and maintenance services.
According to the statement, the Lewis and Clark class dry cargo ship USNS Charles Drew of the United States Military Sealift Command offers vital assistance to the U.S. Navy fleet deployed in the Indo-Pacific region.
In order to welcome the ship, key Ministry of Defense officials including Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral SN Ghormade, Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Naval Area Rear Admiral S Venkat Raman, and others paid a visit to the shipyard.
Rear Admiral Michael Baker, the US Embassy in New Delhi’s defence attaché, and Consul General of the US Embassy in Chennai, Judith Ravin, were also present.
Declaring the incident to be “extremely noteworthy,” Ajay Kumar, the secretary of defence, stated: “We are delighted to welcome the USNS Charles Drew to India as she prepares for her trip. The effort from India also acquires additional significance in terms of strengthening the strategic alliance between India and the US. A new era for deeper engagements has begun with this.
In reference to the strengthening ties between the two countries, Ravin referred to it as a new page in the Indo-US strategic partnership.
Rear Admiral Michael L. Baker stated, “By working together to provide effective, efficient, and affordable maintenance of military vessels, our maritime sectors positively contribute to a free and open Indo-Pacific.” From August 7 to August 17, the USNS Charles Drew will be in the Kattupalli shipyard, where all repairs will be finished by then.
An L&T representative responded to a reporter’s inquiry regarding the type of repairs required for the ship by saying that such information cannot be disclosed because it is a Navy ship from another nation.
