GRSE lays keel of Fast Patrol Vessel Yard 2118, begins shallow water-crafts production

Kolkata: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) laid the keel of Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) Yard 2118 on Thursday. The keel-laying ceremony was held in the august presence of the Coast Guard Region's (North East) Commander Inspector General Maneesh Vishal Pathak (Tatrakshak Medal), GRSE's Chairman & Managing Director Rear Admiral VK Saxena, IN (Retd.), GRSE's Director (Shipbuilding) Cmde Sanjeev Nayyar, IN (Retd), and GRSE's Director (Personnel) Cmde. PR Hari, IN (Retd) and other senior officials of the Indian Coast Guard, GRSE and TWL, Kolkata.

This vessel is being constructed for the Indian Coast Guard as a replacement for the recently exported FPV SCG PS Zoroaster which was handed over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the government of Seychelles.

The FPVs are medium-range surface vessels with a length of 50 metre, a width of 7.5 metre and displacement of around 308 T and are proficient at operating in the maritime zones of India. These powerful, fuel-efficient platforms are designed to perform multipurpose operations like patrolling, anti-smuggling, anti-poaching, and rescue operations. The vessels are designed for a maximum speed of 34 knots with an endurance of more than 1,500 nautical miles. It will be equipped with the 03 MTU 4000 series engine and built up with advanced control systems, water jet units and an integrated bridge system for all communication and navigation structures. The ship is also fitted with 40/60 gun as the main armament with improved habitability features of fully air-conditioned modular accommodation for 35 personnel. The entire design of these FPVs has been developed In-House by GRSE as per requirements specified by the Indian Coast Guard.

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GRSE has also started the production of the second and the third ship (Yard 3030 & Yard 3031) of the eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASWSWC) projects on July 14. 'Start Production' is the first 'Milestone' in shipbuilding and signifies the commencement of vessel construction after the design engineering phase. The compact and complex stealth crafts are designed by GRSE, and these platforms will be packed with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors like hull-mounted sonar, towed sonar, torpedo launchers and rocket launchers to interdict and destroy subsurface targets in coastal waters. The crafts are capable of 'Search & Rescue' and 'Low-Intensity Maritime Operations' and are propelled by water jets capable of high-speed movement.

GRSE is currently executing three major shipbuilding projects, namely the P17A Project for three Advanced Stealth Frigates, four Survey Vessels (Large) and eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts. The shipyard also received an export order from the government of Guyana for the design, construction and delivery of one Ocean Going Passenger-cum-Cargo Ferry Vessel. The vessel is under construction. With proven export credentials backed by a healthy order book, the shipyard is well on its way to realise its vision of being a global leader in shipbuilding.

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