ICGS Vigraha – an Indian Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel. (Indian Coast Guard photo for representation.)
New Delhi: The defence ministry signed a contract with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) for the acquisition of 14 fast patrol vessels (FPVs) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), the ministry said in a release on Wednesday. The contract is valued at ₹1,070.47 crore.
Under the contract’s terms, the FPVs will be delivered in 63 months.
The FPVs will be indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured by MDL under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. The vessels will be equipped with multipurpose drones, wirelessly controlled remote water-rescue craft lifebuoy, and AI capability, among other high-tech advanced features and equipment.
Boosting coastal security! #MoD seals the deal with @MazagonDockLtd for acquisition of 14 Fast Patrol Vessels for the @IndiaCoastGuard.
— A. Bharat Bhushan Babu (@SpokespersonMoD) January 24, 2024
Strengthening maritime capabilities for a safer India. 🚢🇮🇳 #CoastalSecurity
More: https://t.co/kecIDBwYIc@giridhararamane pic.twitter.com/6VLmScj680
These modern FPVs will play a critical role in enhancing fisheries protection and monitoring, control and surveillance, anti-smuggling operations, search-and-rescue operations, including in shallow waters, assistance to ships and smaller boats in distress, towing capabilities, assistance and monitoring during marine pollution-response operations, and anti-piracy operations.
The acquisition of these FPVs is aimed to boost ICG’s capability and reinforces the increased focus of the government towards maritime security. The defence ministry said the contract will boost the nation’s indigenous shipbuilding capability, bolster maritime economic activities and foster growth of ancillary industries especially the MSME (micro, small, and medium enterprise) sector.
“The project will effectively generate employment opportunities and expertise development in the country,” the defence ministry said.
It may be recalled that in December 2023, the defence ministry had signed a contract worth ₹1,614.89 crore with MDL for six next-generation offshore patrol vessels (NGOPVs) for the ICG, as India Sentinels had reported. Out of those six, four will replace aging vessels in the current ICG fleet.
