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NEW DELHI — Indian private sector shipyard Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has delivered its first homemade high speed interceptor boat for use by the Indian Coast Guard, the company announced Dec. 20.
“This is the first of 36 such high speed interceptor boats being constructed by L&T under a contract worth $177.6 million,” the company’s news release said.
The interceptor boat can reach 40 knots, is made of an aluminum alloy to reduce weight and is powered by twin water-jet propulsion systems for quick response, the Coast Guard said.
India has been shoring up its coastal surveillance infrastructure after the 2008 Mumbai attacks by sea-borne terrorists. As part of this program, the Indian Coast Guard is also building a network of coastal surveillance radars.
The interceptor boats are expected to significantly enhance India’s coastal security, a Coast Guard official said.
L&T has also built the hull of India’s homegrown nuclear submarine, Arihant, and has struck a joint venture with state-owned Mazagon Docks Limited to build submarines.
