SOURCE: API
The USNS Matthew Perry, a replenishment ship for the US Navy, docked at Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) Kattupalli shipyard on March 11 for repairs. According to our sources, there is an opportunity to move up the value chain, eventually undertaking major repairs and refit, positioning India as a regional hub.
Military and security cooperation between India and the United States has grown significantly in recent decades, with India recently signing all foundational agreements and acquiring military hardware and platforms from the United States.
Last year, the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Charles Drew arrived in India for 10 days to perform Voyage Repair Availability (VRA) and allied services.
The ship performs “replenishments-at-sea,” delivering critical supplies (food, fuel, spare parts, and mail) to US Navy ships.
Following a reconnaissance of various shipyards, the US Navy awarded a contract to L&T’s shipyard in Kattupalli for ship maintenance.