Keel of GRSE's first fast patrol vessel laid in Kolkata

The keel of a fast patrol vessel -- first of a series of five such waterjet-propelled ships to be built by the GRSE for the Indian Coast Guard -- was laid on Monday at the Raja Bagan dockyard here, an official said.

The ship is expected to be delivered to the Goast Guard in mid-2018, a Defence Ministry spokesman said.

GRSE Chairman and Managing Director Rear Admiral V.K. Saxena and a host of Coast Guard officials were present on the occasion.

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) is a warship-building company under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence. Since 1960, it has built warships for various roles like frigates, corvettes and fast patrol boats.

The ship will be built by using integrated construction technology to ensure higher percentage of outfitting during launch.

The fast patrol vessel is an improved version of inshore patrol vessel earlier built by the GRSE for the Coast Guard, with an efficient hull form developed in-house that can achieve speeds in excess of 34 knots.

The fuel-efficient and powerful platform is well suited for patrolling, anti-smuggling and anti-poaching and rescue operations.

--IANS

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