India signs off new OPVs

The Indian Coast Guard has announced approval to acquire six new Offshore Patrol Vessels to enhance its maritime interests as the country continues to modernise and beef up its national defence capabilities. Budget for the Coast Guard has spiked in the past year as the threat alert of terrorism and piracy remains high. The ICG expects to be at a strength of 200 ships and 100 aircraft by 2018. The new OPVs will be built indigenously by PSU Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) and will have helicopter deployment capability. The Coast Guard currently has several Vishwast class OPVs, as well as Sankalp and Samar ‘advanced’ OPVs. The Indian Navy has six active South Korean Sukanya-class OPVs, the same class of vessel in service with Sri Lankan forces. Meanwhile, India-based company Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) is providing the Mauritius Coast Guard with a new OPV to be deployed from 2014 at a cost of £36.4 million, joint funded with India as part of a 2007 deal