INS Brahmaputra Set to Sail Again After 2024 Fire
After being written off by many following a major fire incident in July 2024, the Indian Navy’s guided-missile frigate INS Brahmaputra is set to return to service by mid-2026. This turnaround is the result of sustained restoration efforts, demonstrating the Navy’s commitment to maintaining combat readiness and asset recovery.
INS Brahmaputra Restoration Progress
Following the accident, INS Brahmaputra was shifted to a dry dock in November 2024 where comprehensive damage assessment and repair operations were undertaken. Engineers focused on three core areas: restoring hull integrity, propulsion systems, and the ship’s vital combat components.
The ship’s ‘float’ and ‘move’ capabilities—referring to seaworthiness and engine propulsion—are expected to be ready by early 2026. The more complex ‘fight’ capability, involving weapons, radar systems, and electronic warfare sensors, is likely to be fully operational by June–July 2026. Officials have emphasized that the refit schedule is on track and progressing steadily.
Fire Incident and Operational Impact
On July 21, 2024, while docked at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, INS Brahmaputra caught fire during maintenance. The blaze was contained, but the water used to douse it caused the warship to list severely, prompting emergency recovery operations.
The incident claimed the life of Leading Seaman Sitendra Singh, a solemn reminder of the risks associated with naval service. Following the fire, Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar visited the site and directed immediate steps to recover the asset. A Special Task Force was commissioned to investigate the incident and ensure that procedural lapses, if any, are addressed.
Strategic Importance of INS Brahmaputra
Commissioned in 2000 and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, INS Brahmaputra is one of India’s indigenously designed and constructed frigates. It plays a key role in coastal defense, maritime surveillance, and escort duties across the Indian Ocean Region.
The Navy’s decision to repair rather than decommission the warship reflects its focus on maximizing the life cycle of strategic assets and reducing dependency on foreign replacements. Restoring INS Brahmaputra is not only cost-effective but also reinforces India’s naval self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission.
As INS Brahmaputra inches closer to rejoining active duty, its recovery becomes a testament to the Navy’s technical expertise, strategic foresight, and resilience in the face of adversity.
