GRSE Delivers One Fast Patrol Vessel to Seychelles
SCGS Zoroaster, a Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata, a Mini Ratna Category 1 and leading shipyard of the country, was delivered to the Coast Guard of Seychelles, taking the count of warships delivered by GRSE to 107.
A press note by GRSE stated, “Delivery of this ship today signifies a breakthrough in the company’s journey towards becoming a global player in the warship-building arena and bears testimony to the trust; foreign countries are reposing in this Indian shipyard’s abilities. Recently, GRSE also bagged an order for construction & supply of one Ocean Going Passenger & Cargo Vessel for Republic of Guyana.”
The Protocol of delivery and acceptance was signed between Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE Rear Admiral V K Saxena, IN (Retd), and Commanding Officer (Desig) Lt. Cdr Aditya in the presence of Director (Shipbuilding) Cmde Sanjeev Nayyar, IN (Retd), Director (Personnel) Cmde P R Hari, and Director (Finance) RK Dash and other Senior Officials of GRSE, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.
The SCG Ship ‘Zoroaster’, a Fast Patrol Vessel, is a powerful, fuel-efficient platform designed to perform multipurpose operations, such as patrolling, anti-smuggling, anti-poaching, and search and rescue (SAR). With a maximum speed of 34 knots and an endurance of more than 1500 nautical miles, this 50 m FPV with a water-jet propulsion system and advanced controls has the capability to undertake Maritime Missions of the Seychelles Coast Guard. The ship is also fitted with a 40/60 gun as the main armament. The vessel will also flaunt improved habitability features with fully air-conditioned modular accommodation for 35 personnel. The overall design of the FPV has been developed in-house by GRSE.
GRSE also has the experience of delivering CGS Barracuda, a multipurpose compact Offshore Patrol Vessel to Mauritius Coast Guard, thereby becoming the first Indian shipyard to have exported a warship, way back in 2015, when the ship was commissioned.
Since its inception as a DPSU in 1960, GRSE has built 788 platforms which include 107 warships to Maritime forces, which is the highest number of warships built and delivered by any shipyard in the country, till date.
GRSE has the capability to construct 20 ships concurrently, using its modernized infrastructure and ‘Modular Integrated Construction Philosophy’. GRSE also has a dedicated Ship Repair facility, which is fully geared to undertake refits of ships. Apart from shipbuilding & ship repairs, GRSE has diversified into Engineering Business, with a product profile of Pre-fabricated Steel Bridges, various Deck Machinery Items such as Anchor Capstans, Boat Davits, Pumps etc & Assembly/ Testing/ Overhauling of MTU Diesel Engines.