New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for construction of eight fast patrol vessels for the Indian Coast Guard at a total project cost of Rs 473 crore. The contract was signed by Joint Secretary, Maritime and Systems, Dinesh Kumar and Chairman and Managing Director, GSL Cmde BB Nagpal (Retd) here on March 28, 2022.

These surface platforms will be indigenously designed, developed and manufactured by GSL under Buy (Indian-IDDM) Category. These eight high speed vessels will be based along the coast of India with capability to operate in shallow waters and enhance the security apparatus along the vast coastline.

While meeting the objectives of ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat,’ this would 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. /BI/