New Delhi: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders has been awarded a contract by the Indian Defence Ministry for the construction of a training ship for the Indian Coast Guard. Equipped with advanced surveillance and monitoring systems, the ship will provide training to 70 Coast Guard officers and international trainees. Supporting the objectives of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and boosting the country’s shipbuilding capabilities, the majority of equipment and systems will be sourced from indigenous manufacturers.
The Defence Ministry in a statement on October 17 said that it has signed a contract for the construction of one training ship for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders at a cost of Rs 2,310 crore.
In a press release, the ministry said, “This is the first dedicated training platform with integral helicopter capabilities that will provide basic sea training to 70 Coast Guard and other international under-trainee officers to prepare these budding mariners on the multi-dimensional maritime aspects of Coast Guard life.”
Aimed at providing insight and expertise to the ICG cadets on the challenges at sea while ensuring the security of coastline and offshore assets, the training ship will be equipped with advanced and modern high-tech surveillance and monitoring systems. Without providing specific details, the ministry said that a majority of equipment and systems will be sourced from indigenous manufacturers, including MSMEs.
“The project envisages to generate significant employment over a period of three years. While meeting the objectives of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, the contract would also boost the indigenous shipbuilding capability and help in bolstering maritime economic capabilities,” the release read.
Last month on September 25, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane visited Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai where he called for Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) to play a greater role. Aramane stressed the critical need for India to become self-reliant in defence production. He called upon all the DPSUs to actively contribute to this national goal. Specifically, he underscored the importance of increasing indigenous content in warship building as a crucial step towards achieving self-reliance and advancing the country’s progress.
