By Staff Correspondent
The Indian Ministry of Defence has announced the signing of a contract with Ultra Dimensions Pvt. Ltd. (UDPL), based in Vishakhapatnam, for the modernisation of Naval Aircraft Yards (NAYs) at Goa and Kochi, at a cost of approximately Rs 470 crore. The NAYs are responsible for the servicing and repairs of Naval Aircraft, Aero Engines, Rotables and Test Equipment in these regions.
This move towards modernisation comes in light of the induction of the latest state-of-the-art aircraft into the Indian Navy’s inventory, necessitating the need for an upgradation of existing maintenance and repair facilities at Naval Aircraft Yards to meet current and future aviation maintenance challenges. The proposed modernisation includes the installation of repair facilities equipped with state-of-the-art automated machinery and Composite repair bays, and is expected to generate an employment of more than 1.8 lakh man-days over a period of three years.
By augmenting the operational readiness of Naval Aviation Platforms, the modernisation of the NAYs will also serve to reduce dependence on external agencies and foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for repairs, which aligns with the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Defence has engaged Mecon Ltd, based in Ranchi, as a Project Monitoring Consultant for the modernisation project, at a cost of Rs 24 crore. This move is expected to enhance project efficiency and effectiveness, thereby ensuring the timely and successful completion of the project.
Overall, the contract with UDPL and the engagement of Mecon Ltd are significant steps towards the achievement of the Indian Navy’s goal of modernising its maintenance and repair capabilities, enhancing operational readiness, and promoting self-sufficiency in defence production.
