Indian Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the construction of eight fast patrol vessels for the Indian Coast Guard.
These surface platforms will be indigenously designed, developed and manufactured by GSL under Buy (Indian-IDDM) Category. They will be based along the coast of India with the capability to operate in shallow waters and enhance the security apparatus along the vast coastline.
The value of the contract signed on 28 March is Rs 473 crore ($62.1 million).
With this new agreement, the Indian government seeks to boost the indigenous shipbuilding capability and increase employment opportunities in the sector.
“The contract will further boost the government’s resolve of making India a defence manufacturing hub which caters to not only the domestic needs but also the export market,” the officials stated.
To remind, GSL delivered the fifth and last Sankalp-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) to the Indian Coast Guard last month.
The contract for 5 OPVs was signed by GSL with MoD on 26 August 2016 and the commencement of production of the first vessel formally started within 3 months.