The Mauritius Coast Guard received its second fast patrol vessel, MCGS Valiant, from Indian shipbuilder Goa Shipyard Limited on April 30.
The $27 million contract for the construction of MCGS Valiant and sister ship MCGS Victory was signed in May 2014. The contract also included ten 14.5m-long fast interceptor boats.
MCGS Valiant had its keel laid in May 2015, and was launched four months ahead of schedule on February 2, 2017.
The 50-meter vessels are designed for coastal patrolling, anti-piracy, anti-smuggling, anti-drug surveillance, anti-poaching operations, and search and rescue operations. They are fitted with a 30 mm CRN-91 gun, 12.7 mm HMGs and 7.62 mm MMGs. According to GSL, the vessels are capable of achieving a high speed of 37.3 knots.