New offshore patrol vessel in plan. Delivery date is 2014.

Besides providing effective sea patrols in all parts of the maritime zones and EEZ, the new vessel will also participate in anti-piracy, anti-smuggling, antidrugs and illegal fishing operations.Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) from Kolkata, India, are to design and construct the ship.

In addition to ensuring search and rescue cover, the new vessel, costing $58.5 million, will give comprehensive logistic support for the outer islands of Mauritius.

The 75 metre–long vessel will have a range of more than 5,000 nautical miles to carry out sustained operations for about four weeks at sea.

It will be fitted with a close-range naval gun with a state-of-the-art optical fire control system and the most advanced global maritime distress and safety system. It will carry one light helicopter, one rigidhull inflatable board, a landing craft vehicle and a rubber inflatable boat.

To enhance logistic support to the outer islands, the ship can accommodate around 60 crew members as well as 30 passengers.

The construction of the vessel will be financed under the $100 million line of credit offered in 2005 by India during the State visit of Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam to India.  India will provide a one-time grant of $10 million and the remaining $48.5 million will be extended under the line of credit through EXIM Bank, India.