Boats for Indian navy undergo sea trials off Colombo

[SRP]

Several Fast Interceptor Craft built by Solas Marine Lanka (Pvt.) limited, are undergoing sea trials in Sri Lankan waters before being handed over to the Indian navy.The Dubai-based Solas Marine Services Group is in the process of building 80 FIC at a shipyard situated along the Hamilton Canal.

The company, formerly known as Blue Star Marine, secured the deal worth USD 46 million in late September 2011 beating bigger competitors. Sources said that India had called for proposals from boat builders soon after the conclusion of the conflict in Sri Lanka.They speculated that the Indian navy would deploy FIC in an operational capacity similar to that of Sri Lanka’s elite Special Boat Squadron (SBS) as well as the Rapid Action Boat Squadron (RABS).

The SBS and the RASB played a vital role in depriving the LTTE access to the sea during the last few months of Eelam War IV.According to the Indian media, Sagar Prahari Bal would be responsible for the deployment of FIC to protect the coast. The Indian navy set up SPB in the wake of the unprecedented sea borne Lashkar-e-Taiba raid on Mumbai which claimed the lives of about 180 persons in late November 2008. Investigations revealed the raiding party had exploited the weakness in coastal defences to reach Mumbai.

Responding to a query by The Island, sources said that the special boat project was continuing in spite of a slight delay in the delivery schedule.

The 16-metre-long craft, mounted with a range of weapons, would be manned by four or five personnel. Recently, Indian Defence Minister Anthony told Parliament that Sri Lanka was among its defence suppliers. Minister Anthony didn’t specify the equipment. An authoritative government official involved in procurement told The Island that Minister Anthony was referring to the transaction involving the private builder.

Boats for Indian navy undergo sea trials off Colombo | idrw.org

 

[Roybot]

Although these kinds of boats can be easily made at out shipyards. They should have given the order to Indian shipyards.

 

[shree835]

Yes I agree, these type of boat can be made easily at Indian shipyards...I believe some corruption is involved into this deal.

 

[acetophenol]

Yes I agree, these type of boat can be made easily at Indian shipyards...I believe some corruption is involved into this deal.

@Roybot: Our shipyards are already full with IN's orders buddies.

 

[Roybot]

@Roybot: Our shipyards are already full with IN's orders buddies.

Am talking about private shipyards.

 

[Skull and Bones]

@Roybot: Our shipyards are already full with IN's orders buddies.

Some private entities can easily be involved, doesn't look like a technologically advanced craft to me. Just petty patrol boats.

 

[Roybot]

Some private entities can easily be involved, doesn't look like a technologically advanced craft to me. Just petty patrol boats.

If not private, they government/navy could have made a new shipyard, specializing in these sorta fast interceptors boats. Our demand is going to increase over the time, for how long will we keep importing these things?

 

[Skull and Bones]

If not private, they government/navy could have made a new shipyard, specializing in these sorta fast interceptors boats. Our demand is going to increase over the time, for how long will we keep importing these things?

Making a new shipyard is investment heavy proposition, not worthy for something as small as a patrol boat of such caliber. Private participation seems like the only plausible way.

 

[Roybot]

Making a new shipyard is investment heavy proposition, not worthy for something as small as a patrol boat of such caliber. Private participation seems like the only plausible way.

Am talking about shipyard that would specialize in making these small boats, wouldn't cost that much. If you look at the long term benefits cost wouldn't be an issue, and plus it would create employment.

The yard where these particular boats are being made cost only $1.5 Million to make, and just this Indian navy order is worth $70 Million almost.

We are talking about small boats here, some people make it in their back yard, not a investment heavy proposition at all.

 

[Echo_419]

@Roybot: Our shipyards are already full with IN's orders buddies.

Private whale toh nahi na
We are not a 1st world country

Phele apne logo ka pet palna chaiye
Charity begins at home

 

[shree835]

@Roybot: Our shipyards are already full with IN's orders buddies.

How can you digest this fact that Colombo is making Boats for Indian Navy.

 

[acetophenol]

How can you digest this fact that Colombo is making Boats for Indian Navy.

There's no problem for me accepting that Sri Lanka is building those boats for us, and I am rather happy to see any cooperation b/w the two nations.

 

[acetophenol]

@Roybot @Skull and Bones: These Orders were placed some time back,and may be involving new players might have lead to unneccassry delays. Our shipyards have previously build boats like these before,so there is no questioning the capability of our yards.

 

[a.kumar]

May be Srilankan quote was cheaper than Indian shipbuilders ?

 

[Roybot]

@Roybot @Skull and Bones: These Orders were placed some time back,and may be involving new players might have lead to unneccassry delays. Our shipyards have previously build boats like these before,so there is no questioning the capability of our yards.

That has just become an excuse now, peddled by the arms lobby. With this defeatist mentality we ll get no where.

May be Srilankan quote was cheaper than Indian shipbuilders ?

Yeah of course, but when we take into account the future procurement, the expertise and skills it would have built and the employment it would have a created in India, paying a bit more for an Indian product wouldn't have been such a bad idea, specially if you take the depreciating rupee into account.