Nearly four months after a devastating fire ravaged the INS Brahmaputra at the Mumbai naval dockyard, a major milestone has been reached in the warship's restoration. Sources reveal that the multi-role frigate has been successfully returned to an upright position. This was achieved with the assistance of foreign experts who employed specialized balloon-like structures to de-ballast the vessel, effectively lifting it from its tilted position.
The INS Brahmaputra, a 24-year-old guided-missile frigate, was undergoing a refit in July when the fire broke out, tragically claiming the life of one sailor and causing extensive damage. The incident led to the ship listing heavily to one side, and despite initial efforts, it could not be righted.
The Indian Navy, recognizing the complexity of the situation, sought foreign expertise for the restoration. While the ship is now upright, officials caution that full restoration to seaworthiness will be a lengthy process, potentially taking several more months. Specialized machinery and technical expertise will be required to ensure the vessel is fit for sailing.
The ship has been moved from the site of the fire incident to facilitate the restoration. Water accumulation during the firefighting operations significantly increased the ship's weight, making the uprighting process extremely challenging. A team of international specialists had previously inspected the vessel to assess the fire's impact, and the operation has been further complicated by the excessive weight caused by water ingress.
Although the Navy has not issued an official statement on the salvage operation's progress, sources indicate that the restoration and recovery will be a long-term endeavor. The Navy is collaborating closely with foreign agencies to expedite the ship's return to service, but the extensive damage necessitates meticulous repairs.
Following the incident, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi visited Mumbai to assess the situation and emphasized the importance of restoring the INS Brahmaputra to operational status. The Navy has also established a Special Task Force, headed by a Rear Admiral, to audit safety and security protocols across naval operations.
The Western Naval Command is overseeing the salvage and restoration efforts. Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan acknowledged the challenges, stating, “We have a lot of Indian salvage capabilities but for INS Brahmaputra we have sought foreign assistance, and we will definitely revive the ship.”
The INS Brahmaputra was in the final phase of its refit and was expected to rejoin the Western Fleet before the fire occurred.
