New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth Rs 1614.89 crore with Mazagon Dockyard Shipbuilders Ltd on December 20 for construction and delivery of six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
The contract was made under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. Out of the six vessels being procured, four would replace the existing aging OPVs and the other two would augment the ICG fleet. The acquisition of these major ICG platforms is aimed to boost the ICG’s capability and reinforces the increased focus of the Government towards Maritime Security. These modern and high-tech Ships will play a critical role in enhancing surveillance, Law enforcement, Search and Rescue, Maritime Pollution Response, and other important capabilities including humanitarian assistance by the ICG.
Along with several high-tech advanced features and equipment, these 115m OPVS would be equipped with Multipurpose Drones, AI capability, and Wirelessly Controlled Remote Water Rescue Craft Lifebuoy, etc. enabling greater flexibility and operational edge to the ICG to face new age multidimensional challenges.
These multi-role state-of-the-art vessels will be indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured by MDL, Mumbai, and will be delivered in a total period of 66 months. The contract achieves the objectives of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ to boost the nation’s indigenous shipbuilding capability, bolstering maritime economic activities and fostering the growth of ancillary industries, especially the MSME sector. The project will also generate employment opportunities and expertise development in the country.
Another government-owned firm, Cochin Shipyard Limited in a press release said it has signed a Rs 488.25 crore contract with the Ministry of Defence for repair and maintenance of equipment and systems onboard naval vessels. “The work on the contract has already commenced during Q2FY24 based on the approval of necessity (AoN) from the Ministry of Defence, and is expected to be completed by Q1FY25,” the company said.
Cochin Shipyard, earlier this month, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Adani Group for constructing green tugs, after delivering the first of the two tugs ordered by Ocean Sparkle Limited, now owned by Adani Harbour Services Limited. This is the first tug to be built in India under the Approved Standard Tug Design Specifications (ASTDS) issued by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) for promoting the shipbuilding industry under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
In November, Cochin Shipyard launched three Indian Navy vessels in the series of eight anti-submarine warfare shallow water crafts from its Kochi Yard. The first ship of the project is planned to be ready for delivery by November 2024, the company said in a press release. In April 2019, the company had signed a contract with the defence ministry to build eight ASW SWC ships. The first three ships launched would bear the names, INS Mahe, INS Malvan, and INS Mangrol after commissioning in the Indian Navy.
