With the aim to give a boost to the capabilities of the Navy, the Defence Ministry here on Tuesday signed a contract worth Rs 2,435.15 crore with the public sector Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers(GRSE),Kolkata for manufacturing of four survey vessels after the company emerged successful bidder in the competitive bidding.
The first ship will be delivered within 36 months and remaining within an interval of six months for each vessel. The project completion time is 54 months from date of signing the contract. With this prestigious contract, GRSE's Order Book as on date stands at Rs 22,604 crore. The GRSE is currently handling a major project to make three Stealth Frigates for Indian Navy under P-17A Project.
These survey vessels (Large) shall be 110 metre long with deep displacement of 3,300 tonnes and complement of 231 and capable of full-scale coastal and deep-water hydrographic survey of ports and harbours, approaches and determination of navigational channels and routes. In addition, the vessels shall undertake surveys of maritime limits up to Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ) and extended continental shelf. These shall be deployed for collection of oceanographic and geophysical data for defence applications. In their secondary role, these shall be capable of performing limited search and rescue, limited ocean research and operate as hospital ship and casualty holding ships, ministry officials said.
The vessels are equipped with highly advanced state-of-the-art hydrographic equipment and sensors besides one Advanced Light Helicopter(ALH). The ships will be built as per Classification Society Rules and Naval Ship Regulations and will conform to latest Marine Pollution(MARPOL)standards of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
The defence PSU is a pioneer warship builder of the nation having delivered the highest number of warships till date since its inception in 1960. The 98 warships built by GRSE so far range from Advanced Frigates to Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvettes to Fleet Tankers and Fast Attack Crafts with the shipyard having many firsts to its credit in terms of Innovation and Design.
