Close on the heels of the Sri Lanka Navy commissioning an advanced offshore patrol vessel from the Goa Shipyard earlier this month, an Indian Coast Guard ship ‘Shaurya’, the fifth in the series of six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), was commissioned at Goa last week by Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas.

The 105-metre new generation OPV was designed in-house by Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL). The vessel is fitted with modern navigation and communication equipment, sensors and machineries.

The ship is designed to carry one twin engine Light Helicopter and five high-speed boats, including two Quick Reaction Inflatable Boats for swift boarding operations, search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol.

The ship is also capable of carrying pollution response equipment to contain an oil spill at sea. The ship is based at Chennai, under the operational and administrative control of Commander Coast Guard Region (East), and will be deployed extensively for surveillance, according to a statement.

The launch of the vessel marks a major milestone in the goal of having adequate number of such ships in the Indian Coast Guard inventory. Currently, the Indian Coast Guard has a fleet of 129 ships and boats and 72 ships and boats are at various stages of construction at different shipyards in India.

A statement from the ministry said the commissioning of ‘Shaurya’ and its induction is set to give a fillip to the maritime protection of the country’s vast coastline.

Earlier in August, the Sri Lankan President commissioned a new advanced warship of the Sri Lanka Navy built by Goa Shipyard under a $155-million contract inked four years ago for two such vessels.

It is the largest warship to be operated by the Sri Lankan Navy and also the largest warship to be exported by an Indian shipyard. The ship features a helipad.

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