Four fast crafts to join Southern Naval command

Four Fast Interception Craft (FIC) are all set to join the Southern Naval Command fleet here, giving a boost to coastal defence.
Presently the craft, which arrived here last week, were in the process of being taken over from the ship builders and they would be deployed in Ezhimala and in the islands of Kavaratti, Minicoy, and Androth, a naval release said today.
Southern Naval Command will get 12 more of these craft in the coming months.
The craft will be under the operational control of Naval Officer in Charge (Kerala) and Sagar Prahari Bal (SPB) - the force raised by the Navy for coastal defence- will operate the craft.

Their responsibilities will include Naval Force Protection, seaward security of naval assets, and counter terrorism among others.
The craft, built at Solas Marine Lanka Private Limited, are highly capable vessels and can do speeds up to 45 Knots and have an endurance of 200 nautical miles at 15 Knots.
They can carry a variety of armament from Heavy Machine Guns to Grenade Launchers. The upper deck canopies are bullet proof.
The versatile vessels are fitted with modern navigational aids and communication equipment including AIS (Automatic Identification System) and LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device)- an anti piracy device, the release added.