“It is a matter of delight because not only are they (patrol vessels) a very valuable addition to the Indian Coastguard, but that they have been indigenously made, particularly in a country where traditionally we felt that our ship building industry still needs a lot more specialisation and growth,” Jaitley said.
“The economic constraints witnessed during the last two decades have reinforced the importance of the maritime trade and commerce. The resultant growth in maritime traffic thus calls for an efficient framework of maritime safety, maritime security, maritime environment protection and disaster management and law enforcement at sea,” he said.
Jaitley, accompanied by Navy chief Admiral R K Dhowan, visited aircraft carrier INS Viraat and reviewed the operational preparedness of the Western Naval Command, which witnessed two major submarine mishaps in the last one year.
He also had a look at the ill-fated Russian-made Kilo-class submarine Sindhurakshak, which had sunk following multiple explosions on August 14 last year, killing 18 Navy personnel, from a distance.
The salvors have lifted vessel from the sea bed and is now resting on a pontoon at the naval dockyard.
Replying to a query on the recent mishaps denting the image of the Navy, Jaitley said, “We are trying to find the causes that led to the recent incidents to improve the situation. Procurement process has to be fastened. Wherever there are concerns, Navy will address them.” Indian Coast Guard ships ‘Achook and ‘Agrim' are the fifth and sixth in the series of 20 Fast Patrol vessels (FPVs), designed and built by Cochin shipyard.
The 50-metre indigenous FPVs displace 270 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 33 knots with an endurance of 1500 nautical miles at economical speed of 13 knots, and are equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry and advanced communication and navigation equipment.
