The Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, is set to undergo an extensive ‘refit’ that includes significant maintenance, repairs, and technological upgrades to enhance its capabilities. Commissioned in 2013, INS Vikramaditya is one of only two sea-going aircraft carriers currently operated by the Indian Navy.
In a significant move, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has entered into a contract worth Rs 1,207 crore with Cochin Shipyard Limited, located in Kochi, for what has been described as a ‘short refit and dry docking’ process for the carrier. This operation aims to rejuvenate the INS Vikramaditya and bolster its combat capabilities before it re-joins the active fleet of the Indian Navy.
This refit project is regarded as a critical step toward establishing Cochin Shipyard Limited as a prominent maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) hub, enhancing the broader industrial ecosystem within India. According to the MoD, the initiative will engage nearly 50 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), leading to the creation of more than 3,500 job opportunities in the region.
The Cochin Shipyard has previously made headlines for constructing INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, which was officially commissioned in September 2022. Notably, INS Vikramaditya was originally acquired from Russia and has been a vital asset to the Indian Navy since its commissioning in November 2013.
The move to refit the INS Vikramaditya aligns with strategic efforts to modernize the naval fleet, as the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)—the apex body for defense procurement in India—had approved this refurbishment back in August this year. As the carrier undergoes these upgrades, it is expected to play a more robust role in enhancing India’s maritime capabilities.
