SOURCE: AFI
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India’s frigate INS Brahmaputra suffered a major setback on Monday after a fire onboard caused extensive damage and left the vessel tilted on its side at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. The incident, which began on Sunday, tragically resulted in one sailor missing, with search efforts ongoing.
The fire, while extinguished, took a heavy toll on the frigate. Experts believe the hull itself remains intact, but significant damage has occurred to the combat system blocks. While repairable, these repairs will likely take a significant amount of time, with Indian Naval veterans estimating the INS Brahmaputra will be out of service for at least 12-18 months.
Time is of the essence in salvaging the vessel. Naval veterans emphasize the importance of swiftly removing the INS Brahmaputra from the seawater to prevent further damage to other internal compartments.
Despite the incident, a silver lining remains. Commissioned in 2000, the INS Brahmaputra is only 24 years old and potentially has another 15 years of service life left. Successful salvage and repairs could see this crucial warship return to defend India’s maritime interests.
The Indian Navy is yet to comment on the cause of the fire or the specifics of the salvage operation. However, the incident raises concerns about safety protocols within dockyards and the need for thorough investigations to prevent such occurrences in the future.