In a boost to India’s naval capabilities and the government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ measures, the Indian Navy inducted two state-of-the-art 25-tonne Bollard Pull (BP) tugs, Bhishm and Bahubali, in a ceremony held yesterday at the Naval Ship Repair Yard (NSRY), Port Blair. The occasion was presided over by Air Marshal Saju Balakrishnan, Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command.
The tugs, built by Kolkata-based Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), mark an important milestone in India’s push for indigenous defense manufacturing. The agreement for the construction of six such tugs was finalized on November 12, 2021. Developed in cooperation with an Indian ship design firm, these vessels adhere to the Naval Rules and Regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), reflecting the country’s growing self-reliance in defense technology.
The Bhishm and Bahubali tugs are equipped to assist Indian Navy ships and submarines in berthing, un-berthing, turning, and maneuvering in captive waters. Beyond harbor operations, these versatile tugs are capable of providing fire-fighting support to ships both alongside and at anchor. Further, they are equipped to perform limited search and rescue (SAR) operations, further enhancing their operational utility.
The induction of these tugs is expected to significantly improve operational efficiency at naval bases, especially in the strategically important Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The tugs’ entry into service emphasizes the Navy’s pledge to strengthen its fleet with robust, domestically manufactured assets.
This outcome is a testament to India’s indigenous shipbuilding capacities and the Navy’s ongoing measures to modernize and enhance its maritime infrastructure. (PR)