VASCO
The keel of the second frigate for the Indian Navy was ceremoniously laid at Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) on Friday by Vice Chief of Naval Staff G Ashok Kumar in the presence of GSL CMD Cmde B B Nagpal and other senior officials of the Indian Navy and GSL.
The ship under construction at GSL is a part of indigenous shipbuilding programme being executed under IGA with Russian Side for construction of two Advanced Missile Frigates for the Indian Navy. The contract was signed on January 25, 2019 between Ministry of Defence and GSL.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Adm. G Ashok Kumar applauded the efforts by the GSL in achieving large scale indigenisation in collaboration with the Indian industry.
There is a considerable changes in the design of the ships to be constructed at Goa Shipyard, as significant indigenous content is being fitted on these ships.
It is a major import substitute project, wherein a large number of major equipment are being substituted with indigenous equivalent, in addition to planned use of significant indigenous build material. The entire hull of the ships is being built with indigenous steel.
During his address, GSL CMD Cmde B B Nagpal highlighted various challenges faced by the GSL in executing this complex shipbuilding project.
Despite challenges posed by ongoing pandemic COVID-19, the GSL continued the production activities with active support of employees and innovative solutions.
He thanked the Indian Navy for their unstinted support and reiterated GSL’s commitment to cater for the requirement of Maritime Defence Forces through indigenous shipbuilding.
