New Delhi (Sputnik) — Indo-Mauritian Defense Co-operation got a boost with India’s first-ever delivery of a Fast Patrol Vessel to Mauritius. The MCGS Victory was sent in record time following the delivery of interceptor boats earlier this year. The vessel is primarily designed for Coastal Patrolling, Anti-Piracy, Anti-Smuggling, Anti-Drug Surveillance, Anti-Poaching Operations, and Search and Rescue Operations.
“The vessel is 50 meters long, fitted with a 30 mm close range naval-91 gun, 12.7 mm heavy machine guns and 7.62 mm medium machine guns besides state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment, and is capable of achieving a high speed of 35 knots,” reads a statement released by India’s Ministry of Shipping.
Rear Adm. Shekhar Mital, NM (Retd), CMD of Goa Shipyard Ltd, says “Despite all the challenges, including a delay of over six months in the supply of steel and being the first ship of the series, we have successfully delivered this ship as per the contractual schedule of Sept, 2016, i.e. within 20 months of keel laying, which is a record in itself.”
“India becoming the primary supplier of naval vessels to Mauritius is a significant step, as previous purchases by the island nation have been from sources as diverse as the former Soviet Union and Canada,” writes Sanjay Badri Maharaj, an independent defense analyst, in a research paper for IDSA.
Last year in March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had commissioned the 1,300 metric ton India-built naval patrol vessel ‘Barracuda’ for the Mauritian National Coast Guard. This was the first strategic sale to Mauritius amid the growing presence of China in the Indian Ocean Region. Mauritius followed up this order with the purchase of eleven 14.5m fast interceptor boats and two fast attack crafts from GSL. India has already delivered fast interceptor boats, which were inducted into the Mauritius Police Force in March of this year.
