Breaking News

Indian navy to buy Lankan boats

01 Jul 2011 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

As part of the exercise to strengthen coastal security post 26/11, the Navy has decided to procure 80 interception boats at a cost of Rs 300 crore from a Sri Lanka-based ship manufacturer. The boats are planned to be used by the newly formed Sagar Prahari Bal (SPB) and other wings of the Navy, naval officials said. The contract process for 80 Fast Interception Craft (FIC) from Sri Lanka-based SOLAS Marine is in its final stages and the deal is expected to be finalised soon, they said.

The Navy had last year placed an order worth around Rs 60 crore for 15 such boats with a French shipyard Chantier Naval Couach. The first three boats of the lot were inducted four days back for operational service at Mumbai, they said. Delivery of the first 15 FICs is expected to be completed by the end of 2012 and the next 80 would be inducted in coming 36 months, they said.

The boats, with speeds between 45-50 miles per hour, would be mainly deployed for coastal security duties and would be used for engaging any suspicious vessel or activity in these areas, they said. With four to five crew members and capability to patrol far off areas, the boats would also be deployed to provide protection to vital assets and installations along the coastal areas.

Post 26/11 attacks, the Navy was given the responsibility to look after coastal security along with the Coast Guard and the local authorities. After the Mumbai attacks, in which 166 people were killed by terrorists from Pakistan who landed on the shores of the mega metropolis, the government had announced a slew of measures for plugging gaps in maritime security including creation of a 1,000-personnel-strong Sagar Prahari Bal.

A number of proposals for acquiring equipment for coastal surveillance and boats and vessels were also cleared by the government to strengthen the Navy and the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is also setting up a network of radars atop light houses under a Rs 350-crore project, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The sea guards are also being provided increased aerial assets and infrastructure for improving surveillance capabilities in the coastal region.

Source: The Times of India

Breaking News

Indian navy to buy Lankan boats

Most Popular Articles

More arrests of lawyers, politicians and senior police officers

Former National Lotteries Board Chairperson Shyamila Perera arrested

Girl visited her lover, gang raped by lover and his friends

Historic locomotive move between Kandy and Peradeniya without tracks

Updated World Test Championship standings after West Indies’ record win over Sri Lanka

12-hour water cut in Colombo and suburbs on Saturday

Latest News

Mexico return luxury watches gifted by YouTuber

Govt has ample funds to fast-track development projects: Minister Bimal Rathnayaka

Mahinda Rajapaksa confident Opposition can form new government

National Commission on Women briefs Prime Minister on operational progress

Three sons of Iran’s slain leader Khamenei appear at funeral, not his successor