India’s Cochin Shipyard Limited has signed a maintenance and repair agreement with the US Navy.

The third Master Shipyard Repair Agreement with an Indian company follows agreements with Larsen & Toubro in 2023 for Mazagon Dock and Kattupalli Port.

The US Navy’s effort to expand maintenance and repair centers in the Indo-Pacific stems from the limited availability of such facilities in the region.

Asian Naval Maintenance Hub

Additionally, India provides a safer option than facilities in Southeast Asia.

“Currently, there are a limited number of yards at which US vessels requiring maintenance can dock, and all of them are within striking range of Chinese forces,” USNI News wrote, citing Secretary of the Navy Carlos del Toro.

“While there are other facilities in Hawaii and the Continental United States, these are not readily available for forward-deployed assets.”

Japan as Potential Hub

The US is also exploring Japanese private shipyards as maintenance and repair hubs for the forward-deployed US naval assets.

Allowing complete maintenance at Asian centers will reduce downtime for US naval assets, improving the force’s preparedness for potential conflict.