(a) whether the Indian Navy`s proposal to build an Indigenous Air Defence Ship (ADS) has since been cleared by the Union Government;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not reasons therefor;
(c) whether any foreign assistance has been sought in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the progress made in regard to building of an indigenous Air Defence Ship?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)
(a) to (d): The Government have accorded approval for construction of a 37,500-ton Air Defence ship at Cochin Shipyard Ltd, Kochi. The Shipyard would need to enter into contracts with external agencies for undertaking specific design modules, including that for an aviation facility complex, system integration etc on as required basis. The concept and structural designs, general arrangement drawings and hydrodynamic model tests have been completed.