In a significant development emphasising the relationship between the United Kingdom and India, Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessels RFA Argus and Lyme Bay arrived at L&T Shipbuilding’s Kattupalli Shipyard in Chennai for the Assisted Maintenance Period (AMP) and Self Maintenance Period (SMP), respectively.
The collaboratio
n marks a watershed moment in India and the United Kingdom’s long history of maritime cooperation. L&T Shipbuilding’s decision demonstrates the company’s rising presence in shipbuilding and repairs.
The RFA Lyme Bay is a 16,600-dwt Bay-class landing vessel dock designed to transport vehicles, troops, ammunition, and supplies while supporting ongoing waves of an amphibious assault. The RFA Argus, which weighs 28,000 tons, is categorised as a Primary Casualty Receiving Ship for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
It functions as a floating medical institution, housing a 100-bed medical complex. The breadth of the warships’ activity was kept hidden during their stay in the Mediterranean.
However, in January 2024, RFA Lyme Bay carried 80 tonnes of essential supplies to Egypt to assist the Gaza people.
Given the next-generation infrastructure, size, and qualified staff, L&T’s Shipyard, which includes a ship lift facility and various dry and wet berths, is well-equipped to manage the complicated maintenance requirements of modern military vessels.
The Deputy British High Commissioner, Oliver Ballhatchet MBE, stated that this is the first time Royal Navy boats have undergone maintenance in India.
The move is an effort to advance the India-UK 2030 Roadmap and reflects a shared understanding of international security problems in the Indian Ocean Region. Commenting on the historic event, Mr J D Patil, a Member of the Executive Council of Management and Advisor to the CMD – L&T, stated that the collaboration between L&T Shipbuilding and the Royal Navy exemplifies the partnership spirit and is a direct result of the logistics-sharing agreement signed between the two countries in 2022.