The Indian Coast warship ‘Sujit’, the second within the series of 105 metres off-shore patrol vessels, was commissioned in Goa on Tuesday.
The vessel will enhance the Indian Coast Guard’s operational capability to discharge multifarious maritime tasks, a spokesman of the Coast Guard said.
It was commissioned at the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) in Vasco town by Secretary (defence production) Raj Kumar within the presence of Indian Coast Guard Director General Krishnaswamy Natarajan et al. .
The 105 metres OPV (off-shore patrol vessel) has been designed and built indigenously by the GSL, and is fitted with advanced technology, navigation and communication system , sensors and machinery, the spokesman said.
The ship is additionally equipped with an integrated bridge system, integrated platform management system, power management system and high power external fire-fighting.
It is designed to hold one twin engine helicopter and 4 high speed boats, including two inflatable boats, for boarding operations, search and rescue, enforcement and maritime patrol, he said.
The ship, on joining the Coast Guard, are going to be based at Goa, he said.
“The ship are going to be deployed extensively for EEZ (exclusive economic zone) surveillance and other duties as enshrined within the Coast Guard charter,” he said.
“Presently, the Indian Coast Guard features a fleet of 155 ships and 62 aircraft,” he said, adding that 35 more ships are at various stages of construction at different Indian shipyards