It took India nearly 20 years to finally stumble upon the construction of its first domestically built aircraft carrier, the Vikrant. However, a discerning person can see at a glance that this country's shipbuilding capability is still far behind the world's advanced level. However, knowing that India's shipbuilding industry is not up to the mark, the US Navy, which is "hungry and hungry," still came to the door and entrusted the Indian side to repair the warships for itself. If there is an Internet meme to describe the US Navy, it is "You're really hungry......
Cochin Shipyard, India
According to the global network, as India's largest shipbuilding and repair company, and once built the domestic aircraft carrier "Vikrant" for the Indian Navy, Cochin Shipyard signed the "Ship Maintenance Qualification Agreement" (MRSA) with the US Navy, becoming the third Indian shipyard to repair warships for the US Navy. Similar agreements have been signed with the U.S. military at the Larsen and Tubluo Katupari shipyards in Tamil Nadu and the Mazagaon shipyard in Maharasht.
Domestic U.S. shipyards are running out of capacity
Perhaps we can look at this matter from two perspectives:
On the one hand, the three shipyards located on the east and west coasts of India have begun to serve the US Navy, which means that the US military has more logistical options for ships deployed in the Asia-Pacific direction. Once there is a military showdown between China and the United States someday in the future, some of the US warships that have been damaged in battle can go to these shipyards for repair in a relatively short period of time and quickly return to the front-line battlefield. From this point of view, the cooperation between the United States and India in related fields is indeed worthy of vigilance.
Domestic U.S. shipyards are running out of capacity
At the same time, it should be noted that there is a clause in US law, that is, "other countries are prohibited from building warships for the US Navy." During the Cold War, when America's heavy industry, especially its military industry, was booming, it was true that it could meet all the Navy's equipment needs with its own shipyards. However, in the 21st century, the United States has gradually fallen into the hollowing out of its industry, and it has become increasingly difficult for local shipyards to complete orders for the construction and maintenance of warships on time and in quantity. Therefore, in recent years, there have been voices in the United States to repeal the relevant bills and strive for other countries to be qualified to build warships for the US Navy. Now, the U.S. Navy's decision to hand over some of its ship repair orders to other countries can be seen as a "tentative step" on the road to amending or repealing the relevant bills.
An Indian warship that was repaired and "sunk" in the shipyard
Well, the US Navy's acquisition of a ship repair base in India, which can be called China's "doorstep", is certainly a threat to us, but on the other hand, the Americans may have chosen the wrong partner. With regard to the work efficiency and engineering quality of Indian shipyards, I believe it is needless to say that in the matter of ship maintenance and upgrading, the difference in the "craftsmanship" of Indian workers is "world-famous", and they can often "fix problems" with equipment that has no problems. Although the reliability of US-made warships is generally good, and they also have a relatively good overall equipment life, it is really difficult to say whether they can still maintain the fine tradition of robustness and durability if they "fall" into the hands of the Indians.
The Cochin shipyard was responsible for the construction of the aircraft carrier "Vikrant".
There is a saying on the network that "the United States is the luxury version of India, and India is the beggar's version of the United States". Specifically on the issue of the US military entrusting an Indian shipyard to repair warships, it is not difficult for us to find an interesting phenomenon: "The United States has superb technology in building and repairing warships, but its production capacity is seriously insufficient; India has quite abundant production capacity, but its technological technology and quality control level are inferior." At first glance, the cooperation between the two seems to have a bit of a "play to their respective strengths and make up for their weaknesses". But if you think about it, can "two disabled fighters who help each other" take down an able-bodied fighter in a combat match? This kind of "two-on-one" is obviously very unreliable.
It can only be said that the US Navy is "really hungry"
In short, the US Navy dares to hand over its own warship to the Indians for maintenance, and the heart of the US Navy is big enough. Perhaps in a potential military struggle in the future, India will be able to "sink" many US warships without the PLA taking action......