Mauritian Warship Leaves Indian Shores

The ship was designed in India as per requirements from the Government of Mauritius. It was formally handed over to the Mauritian government in December.

"The Barracuda is an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) of unique design and has wide-ranging capabilities. It is designed to safeguard the safety and security of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Mauritius. This model has been a pioneer in the production line, setting the trend for a new series of vessels that would be capable of multiple roles. GRSE is fully equipped to build more such variants of the OPV that may be used by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard as well as international customers," said Rear Admiral (retd) A K Verma, chairman cum managing director, GRSE, who was among those who saw off the ship from the West Jetty of the company's main works. Commodores Kiran Deshmukh, principal director, ship production and P K Dewan, warship production superintendent, Kolkata, of the Indian Navy were also present during the occasion.

The CGS Barracuda measures 74 metres in length and 11.40 metres in breadth and can achieve a top speed of 22 knots with an approximate displacement of 1,300 tonnes. It has been fitted with state-of-the-art main engines, controls and integrated bridge system catering to all needs of communication and navigation. The ship has fully air-conditioned modular accommodation.

"The ship can carry out anti-piracy and search and rescue operations, anti-smuggling and anti-drug surveillance, anti-poaching operations in the EEZ of Mauritius including fisheries protection. The CGS Barracuda can also provide logistic support including transportation of dry cargo, fuel, fresh water and refrigerated food. It can transport a small detachment of troops and landing them in remote island territories. The OPV can operate a helicopter, participate in pollution response operations and external fire-fighting," a senior GRSE official said.

According to Verma, export of the warship is not only a significant milestone in Indo-Mauritian co-operation but has added yet another feather in the cap of the company that delivered India's first indigenously built warship INS Ajay to the Navy in 1961.