INS Brahmaputra restoration may take over a year, Navy seeks foreign expertise

The Indian Navy has sought foreign experts to assess the damage and restore the warship INS Brahmaputra, as the restoration process remains challenging two months after it was damaged in a fire.
Sources familiar with the matter informed India Today that the restoration of INS Brahmaputra may take longer than initially expected. Experts believe it could take over a year or more to make the ship seaworthy again.
The ship remains tilted towards the shore due to water accumulation during firefighting operations, making it extremely heavy and difficult to upright. According to officials, specialised machinery and technical expertise will be required to rectify the situation.
A team of international specialists has already inspected the vessel, but the salvage process remains challenging due to the ship’s excessive weight caused by water ingress.

The warship INS Brahmaputra sustained extensive damage in the fire. (Photo: India Today)

The fire, which broke out during a refit at the Mumbai Naval Dockyard on July 21, caused significant damage to the 24-year-old warship. Although the fire was extinguished, the incident tragically claimed the life of a sailor. The Navy has yet to provide an official update on the salvage operation’s progress, though the restoration and recovery are expected to be lengthy.
The Navy is collaborating closely with foreign agencies to ensure the ship returns to service as soon as possible, but the extensive damage will require meticulous repairs, sources added.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi had earlier visited Mumbai to review the situation, emphasising the importance of restoring INS Brahmaputra’s seaworthiness and combat readiness. The Navy has also formed a Special Task Force, led by a Rear Admiral, to audit safety and security protocols across naval operations.
The Western Naval Command is overseeing the efforts to salvage and restore INS Brahmaputra, which was in the final phase of its refit before resuming missions as part of the Western Fleet.