KOLKATA: Senior officials from the prime minister's office in Mauritius are in Kolkata to attend an event that promises to catapult India into the niche league of nations that export naval platforms. More importantly, it will break China's hegemony in the supply of warships and other military hardware to countries in the Indian Ocean region and pose a threat to India.
On Friday, K O Fong Weng-Pooran, senior chief executive, PMO, Government of Mauritius, will launch the 74.1 metre long 'Barracuda', a multipurpose Offshore Patrol Vessel (MOPV) being built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) for her country. This will be the first ever warship to be exported by India.
"Mauritius, due to its strategic location, is of crucial interest to India and other countries. Even the US has extended ties with this small island nation. The most worrisome is China's role to invest in Mauritius. China has been investing heavily in many countries in the Indian Ocean region. This is posing a major threat to India which wants to be looked upon as a regional power. The delivery of the ship will propel India to a status where other nations in the region will look upon her for supply of military hardware and other equipment," an official said.
The US$ 58.5 million contract to build and deliver the MOPV was signed in 2011. The time frame set was 42 months from the signing of the contract. GRSE plans to deliver the warship well within schedule. The ship will have a top speed of 20 knots and a maximum range of 5,000 nautical miles. The fully air-conditioned warship can accommodate a crew of over 90. Its main armaments will be fitted at GRSE after the launching.
"The MOPV will be capable of performing anti-piracy, search and rescue operations, anti-smuggling and anti-poaching operations. It can also provide logistics support and transport troops in case of need. It also supports helicopter operations but doesn't have a hanger," the official added.
Mauritian warship to be launched in Kolkata - The Times of India
On Friday, K O Fong Weng-Pooran, senior chief executive, PMO, Government of Mauritius, will launch the 74.1 metre long 'Barracuda', a multipurpose Offshore Patrol Vessel (MOPV) being built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) for her country. This will be the first ever warship to be exported by India.
"Mauritius, due to its strategic location, is of crucial interest to India and other countries. Even the US has extended ties with this small island nation. The most worrisome is China's role to invest in Mauritius. China has been investing heavily in many countries in the Indian Ocean region. This is posing a major threat to India which wants to be looked upon as a regional power. The delivery of the ship will propel India to a status where other nations in the region will look upon her for supply of military hardware and other equipment," an official said.
The US$ 58.5 million contract to build and deliver the MOPV was signed in 2011. The time frame set was 42 months from the signing of the contract. GRSE plans to deliver the warship well within schedule. The ship will have a top speed of 20 knots and a maximum range of 5,000 nautical miles. The fully air-conditioned warship can accommodate a crew of over 90. Its main armaments will be fitted at GRSE after the launching.
"The MOPV will be capable of performing anti-piracy, search and rescue operations, anti-smuggling and anti-poaching operations. It can also provide logistics support and transport troops in case of need. It also supports helicopter operations but doesn't have a hanger," the official added.
Mauritian warship to be launched in Kolkata - The Times of India
