Dhowan to hand over Fast Attack Craft to Seychelles tomorrow

Navy Chief Admiral R K Dhowan will tomorrow hand over the second Indian Fast Attack Craft (FAC) to the Seychelles that will strengthen its Coast Guard against piracy and other threats.

Dhowan, who reached Seychelles today on a four-day visit, will also hold talks with top officials besides calling on the President there.

India has provided a comprehensive maritime security solution including provisioning of military hardware, training, consultancy as well as hydrographic assistance to the Seychelles government.

The first craft, SCG Topaz (formerly INS Tarmugli) was gifted to the Seychelles islands by India in 2005 and has served the Seychelles Coast Guard well, having carried out several anti-piracy patrols and captured several pirates.

The handing over of the second attack craft will further bolster the strength of the island nation's Coast Guard and serve as another visible, potent symbol of the friendship between the two countries, a statement by the Navy said.

INS Tarasa, which has been recently refitted at Naval Dockyard Mumbai, will join her sister ship SCG Topaz as part of the Indian Navy's assistance to Seychelles Coast Guard in capacity building towards meeting her maritime security needs.

In addition, the Indian Navy would also position a maintenance and support team to assist the Seychelles Coast Guard."The Indian Navy remains committed to support Seychelles in its endeavours to ensure good order at sea and protection of its vast Exclusive Economic Zone," it said.

The new vessel is a Car Nicobar Class and features a more efficient hull-form design than the earlier FAC version.