JOIN USThe first three interceptor boats, manufactured by the French company Chantiers Navals Bernard, was inducted in the Navy in Mumbai earlier this week. Twelve more would be inducted by the end of 2012, said a Navy official.
India purchased 15 interceptor boats from France at a cost of around Rs 60 crore primarily for the new Sagar Prahari Bal, which was created in the wake of 26/11 to improve the coastal security net.
Consisting of 1,000 personnel and equipped with 80 patrol boats, the Sagar Prahari Bal has been entrusted with the responsibility of guarding Indian shallow waters.
Another deal
The Navy also concluded a Rs 300 crore financial contract with Solas Marine Lanka — a Sri Lanka-based company — to procure 80 more similar interceptor boats. The delivery would be completed within 36 months of signing the contract. The same company had supplied a large number of boats to the Sri Lankan navy in its fight with the LTTE.
Typically the interceptor boats are about 8-10 mt and can travel at a speed of about 30-40 knots. Each boat can accommodate 5 to 7 crew members armed with light machine guns.
These boats were dispatched on specific intelligence and not on general patrolling duty, a Navy official said adding these boats might help in chasing the pirates away as well from the Indian waters.