The Defence Ministry has signed a contract for the construction of one training ship for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders at a cost of Rs 2,310 crore, it said in a statement on Tuesday.
“This is the first dedicated training platform with integral helicopter capabilities that will provide basic sea training to 70 Coast Guard and other international under-trainee officers to prepare these budding mariners on the multidimensional maritime aspects of Coast Guard life,” the ministry said in a press release.
The training ship will be equipped with advanced and modern high-tech surveillance and monitoring systems which is aimed at providing insight and expertise to the ICG cadets on the challenges at sea while ensuring the security of coastline and offshore assets.
Without providing specific details, the ministry said that a majority of equipment and systems will be sourced from indigenous manufacturers, including MSMEs.
“The project envisages to generate significant employment over a period of three years. While meeting the objectives of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, the contract would also boost the indigenous shipbuilding capability and help in bolstering maritime economic capabilities,” the release read.
Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane visited Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai on September 25 where he called for Defense Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) to play a greater role. Aramane stressed the critical need for India to become self-reliant in defence production. He called upon all the DPSUs to actively contribute to this national goal.
Specifically, he underscored the importance of increasing indigenous content in warship building as a crucial step towards achieving self-reliance and advancing the country’s progress.
The share prices of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders ended Tuesday’s session in the negative territory, with losses of 0.50 per cent while the benchmark indices closed with gains of 0.40 per cent.