Defense Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane laid down the keel of four Coast Guard Fast Patrol Vessels (FPV) at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) on 25 August 2023. Speaking on the occasion, the Defense Secretary applauded Goa Shipyard’s efforts in achieving this milestone, especially the extent of indigenization in partnership with Indian industry. He stressed the importance of cultivating and developing the country’s shipbuilding industry which has had a rich heritage. While highlighting the main achievements obtained by the Goa shipyard, he underlined that the sector is becoming more and more competitive and urged GSL to equip itself in terms of efficiency and competitiveness to remain at the forefront.
The GSL-designed FPV is a surface vessel equipped with medium-range weapons with a length of 51.43 meters and a width of 8 meters. The vessel is powered by a double engine and has a maximum speed of 27 knots. The ship’s displacement is approx. 320 Tons, and is capable of operating in rough sea conditions.
These vessels for the Indian Coast Guard are based on GSL’s in-house design and will be equipped with the most modern and technologically advanced machinery and computer control systems, making them the cutting-edge fast patrol vessels of the Indian Coast Guard.
DGCG Rakesh Pal congratulated the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, officers and workers of Goa Shipyard Limited for their dedicated efforts. The DGCG said that GSL will continue to strive for perfection and achieve more ambitious goals in the years to come.
The Secretariat of Defense has also inaugurated the GSL Integrated Warehouse Complex. The Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Coast Guard, Shri Prakash Pal, the President and Chief Executive Officer of GSL, Shri Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay and other ICG officials were present at the occasion.
******
ABB/GC