L&T and US Navy Forge Defence Alliance: MSRA Agreement Strengthens Strategic Cooperation

Mumbai, India – Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T), an Indian multinational conglomerate company, has signed a significant Master Shipyard Repair Agreement (MSRA) with the US Navy, cementing the two countries’ defence alliance. This arrangement authorizes L&T’s Kattupalli Shipyard in Chennai to perform voyage maintenance on Military Sealift Command vessels. The shipyard qualified for the MSRA, equivalent to battleship refits, after a rigorous review by the US Navy and the Military Sealift Command, a qualification it already has from the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. The MSRA is the product of the US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in 2022, and it reflects the commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The agreement, according to Judith Ravin, US Consul General in Chennai, deepens the nations’ strategic cooperation.

AT Ramchandani, Executive Vice President and Head, L&T Defence, emphasized L&T’s global recognition of its capabilities and facilities, guaranteeing to meet the US side’s quality and delivery standards. The Kattupalli Shipyard has undertaken voyage repairs for US Navy vessels such as the USNS Salvor, USNS Charles Drew, and USNS Matthew Perry with success. The agreement is a significant step forward in strengthening the relationship between the world’s largest and oldest democracies, and it expands collaboration in the defence industry to serve shared security interests. L&T’s shipyard is well-known for its cutting-edge facilities, making it a valuable asset in shipbuilding and maintenance.

Image Source: Magic Wand Media

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