Mauritius gets five new interceptors
Boost for Mauritius Coast Guard.
Maritime Security: The NCG equipped with five Fast Interceptor Boats
The National Coast Guard (NCG) is now equipped with five Fast Interceptor Boats which arrived in Mauritius last week. With the induction of these crafts, the capability of the NCG will receive a quantum jump wherein extended operations can be undertaken with effective surveillance and search and rescue capability all around the island. A second lot of five boats is expected to arrive in Mauritius in February 2016.
The 14.5 metre Fast Interceptor Boats, designed and built by the Government of India owned shipyard M/s Goa Shipyard Limited, is fitted with the most advanced navigation, communication and machinery with highly potent 7.62 medium machine guns. These highly capable speed boats will be deployed for patrolling, surveillance, force protection, interception of high speed vessels, search and rescue as well as special force operations. The boats will have a top speed of 35 knots (63 kmph), with a cruising speed of 20 knots (36 kmph) and an endurance of over 300 Kms.
The successful delivery of the boats as per the contract between Mauritius and the Indian defence shipyard is a valuable addition to the long list of partnership projects between India and Mauritius in the domain of maritime security and marks another milestone in the Indo-Mauritian cooperation and friendship.
It also adds another chapter to the history of Mauritius in its quest for self-sufficiency and preparedness towards ensuring maritime security in its vast maritime zones.
It is to be recalled that a contract between the Government of Mauritius and Goa Shipyard Limited, India towards the purchase of ten Fast Interceptor Boats at a cost of six million USD funded under the Indian line of credit agreement was signed on 4 April 2014.
Source: govmu.org
