On 20th December 2023, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract worth Rs.1614.89 crore with Mazagon Dockyard Shipbuilders Limited (MDL – functioning under MoD) for the procurement of six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVS) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
About the Contract:
i.The contract was made under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured (IDDM)) category.
- The NGOPVS are designed, developed and manufactured by MDL Mumbai, Maharashtra.
ii.The six multi-role state-of-the-art vessels will be delivered in sixty-six months (5.5 years) to ICG.
iii.Four of these vessels would replace the existing ageing OPVs and the remaining two would augment the ICG fleet.
About NGOPVS:
i.NGOPVS is a modern and high-tech ship that is 115 meters long and can displace about 2500 tons.
ii.The ship is equipped with several high-tech features along with Multipurpose Drones, Artificial Intelligence (AI) capability, and Wirelessly Controlled Remote Water Rescue Craft Lifebuoy.
iii.The acquisition of these major ICG platforms is aimed to boost the ICG’s capability and reinforces the increased focus of the Government towards Maritime Security.
iv.It will help ICG to enhance surveillance, Law enforcement, Search and Rescue, Maritime Pollution Response, and humanitarian assistance.
CSL & Defence Ministry Signed Rs 488.25 cr Contract for Ship Repairs
Ministry of Defence (MoD) entered into a contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) worth Rs 488.25 crore for the repair and maintenance of equipment and systems onboard naval vessels.
- CSL is a Miniratna Company under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
About the Contract:
i.The work on the contract was commenced during the second quarter (Q2) of the financial year 2023-24(FY24)
ii.The contract is expected to be completed by Q1 of FY25.
iii.The contract is based on the Approval of Necessity (AoN) from MoD.
About Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL):
Chairman & Managing Director(MD) – Sanjeev Singhal
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established in – 1934
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL):
Chairman and Managing Director(MD) – Madhu S Nair
Headquarters – Cochin, Kerala
Established in – 1972
