New Delhi: In line with India's vision of 'SAGAR' (Security And Growth for All in the Region) that puts 'Neighbourhood first,' Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV), SCG PS Zoroaster built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata, has been handed over to the Seychelles Coast Guard by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of HE Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Republic of Seychelles. The handing over ceremony was conducted in the virtual mode in presence of senior dignitaries of both countries.
In his address, the Prime Minister said that India is committed to strengthening the maritime security of Seychelles and this new state-of-the-art 'Made in India' Fast Patrol Vessel will help Seychelles Coast Guard to protect its maritime resources.
President of the Republic of Seychelles His Excellency Wavel Ramkalawan, in his speech, acknowledged that the donation of the Fast Patrol Vessel 'Zoroaster' by the government of India comes at a certain opportune moment, reinforcing the efforts of the two nations to combat and deter maritime crimes with specific emphasis on counter-narcotics operations within the vast expanse of the maritime zones of the two nations. He added that the state-of-the-art vessel represents a key element in achieving this objective as well as enabling the Seychelles Coast Guard to fulfill its principal mission of defending the Seychelles territory, thus contributing to regional stability and security.
The SCG 'PS Zoroaster' is from the line of FPV being built by GRSE and with proven performance with the Indian Coast Guard. The ship is a powerful, fuel-efficient platform designed to perform multipurpose operations, such as patrolling, anti-smuggling, anti-poaching, and search and rescue (SAR). With a maximum speed of 34 knots and an endurance of more than 1,500 nautical miles, this 50-metre FPV with a waterjet propulsion system, advanced controls and a 40/60 gun as the main armament, has the capability to undertake Maritime Missions of the Seychelles Coast Guard. The vessel also has improved habitability features with fully air-conditioned modular accommodation for 35 personnel. The overall design of the FPV has been developed in-house by GRSE. The shipbuilder shall also be supporting the ship at Seychelles for three years.
GRSE has also delivered CGS Barracuda, a multipurpose compact Offshore Patrol Vessel to Mauritius Coast Guard, thereby becoming the first Indian shipyard to have exported a warship in 2015. The shipyard is presently undertaking the repairs and maintenance of the ship at Kolkata. GRSE has proven capabilities along with a dedicated building yard for Fast Patrol Vessels and Offshore Patrol Vessels. Recently, GRSE has also bagged an order for the construction and supply of one Ocean Going Passenger & Cargo Vessel for the Republic of Guyana, thus getting underway to becoming a global player in the warship building arena.
Since its inception as a Defence PSU in 1960, GRSE has built 788 platforms which include 107 warships to maritime security forces, which is the highest number of warships built and delivered by any shipyard in the country, to date. GRSE has the capability to construct 20 ships concurrently, using its modernised infrastructure and 'Modular Integrated Construction Philosophy'. Further, the dedicated, multi-disciplinary, in-house Design Team of the shipyard is continuously working towards developing various concept designs for ships that can cater to the current and future requirements of the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. GRSE has also been steering research and development for energy-efficient technologies that can be inducted into service on India's inland waterways and also provide cost-effective solutions to other nations.
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