Indian Navy's INS Beas to be ‘re-powered’ as MoD signs mid-life upgrade and re-powering

The Ministry of Defence signed a contract on October 16, 2023, in New Delhi for the Mid-Life Upgrade and Re-Powering of the INS Beas. The contract, valued at Rs. 313.42 crore, will make Beas the first of the Brahmaputra Class Frigates to undergo this transformation.

The project is undertaken in collaboration with Kochi-based M/S Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), showcasing how ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and the ‘Make-in-India’ initiative have been augmented in the Indian Defence space. Additionally, as the MoD stated, the project would involve more than 50 MSMEs and create more than 3,500 jobs.

INS Beas, Indian Navy's Brahmaputra class frigate. | Image: Indian Navy

The INS Beas, an indigenously designed and built Guided Missile Frigate, is set to undergo a transition from steam to diesel propulsion. This shift, as per the MoD, will enhance the ship's efficiency and operational capabilities. Upon completion of the Mid-Life Upgrade and Re-Powering in 2026, the INS Beas will rejoin the active fleet of the Indian Navy with a modernised weapon suite and upgraded combat capabilities, stated MoD in an official statement.

MoD signs contract with Cochin Shipyard limited (CSL). | Image: PIB

East of Indian Navy: Brahmaputra Class

The Brahmaputra Class Frigates, 125 metres in length and displacing 3,600 tonnes, are hailed for their extended operational ranges and speeds of up to 30 knots. In the earlier decade, the frigates had a 'state-of-the-art' sensor suite and an arsenal of advanced weaponry, including long-range surface-to-surface missiles and anti-missile defence systems, also known as SAM (surface-to-air missiles).

Legacy of INS Beas

Ensign of INS Beas. | Image: Indian Navy

Commissioned in Kolkata on July 11, 2005, by Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Arun Prakash, the INS Beas, a 3600-ton warship, has been a stalwart in the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet. Its computerised action information system for command and control, coupled with its 'then' propulsion system, has made it a 'cornerstone' of naval operations.

The INS Beas carries the legacy of its predecessor, which served with distinction from May 1960 to December 1992, actively participating in key naval campaigns post-independence. This new iteration symbolises the maturity and excellence of India's indigenous shipbuilding industry.