India’s Defence Ministry signs a contract worth roughly ₹498–500 crore with Cochin Shipyard for the refit and re-powering of the guided-missile frigate INS Betwa. Multiple outlets report the agreement as a mid-life upgrade aimed at major propulsion-system changes, along with improvements to the ship’s combat capability.
The contract figures vary slightly across reports, with some citing ₹500 crore, others ₹498 crore, and one mentioning ₹498.58 crore. The Hindu and Free Press Journal specify that the propulsion transformation replaces the frigate’s existing steam-based system with diesel engine-based propulsion, while several reports describe an accompanying modern weapon suite installation.
Coverage also differs in emphasis. Business Line and Times of India foreground the defence contract and its headline value, while The Hindu spotlights the technical propulsion switch. Free Press Journal includes additional context from filings and process details, including the reported signing date in New Delhi and that the work is expected to take about two years. Overall, outlets largely agree on the counterparty (Cochin Shipyard), the vessel (INS Betwa), the approximate contract value, and the propulsion refit focus.
