Larsen and Toubro to build interceptor boats for Indian Coast Guard
22 Mar 2010
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has received a defence ministry order for the design and construction of 36 high-speed interceptor boats for the Indian Coast Guard. The contract, valued at Rs977 crore, is perhaps among the main initiatives being taken by the government to strengthen coastal security.
The interceptor boats will feature aluminium-alloy hull construction with water jet propulsion to enable quick response, which is vital for such applications, L&T said in a release.
"The interceptors will also be able to operate effectively in shallow water that will be critical for near shore action. These boats will be expected to significantly enhance our coastal security," the release added.
The design is being carried out in-house by L&T, at its "state-of-the-art" Ship Design Center, that is a part of L&T's Heavy Engineering Division. The boats are planned to be constructed at L&T's existing shipyard at Hazira, and at its new shipyard coming up at Katupalli near Ennore.
L&T said it has been building special purpose semi-submersible RO-RO/LO-LO, and heavy lift ships for export at its Hazira yard, equipped to manufacture vessels up to 20,000 DWT.
The $8.5 billion engineering and construction major sustains a leadership position in its major lines of business over the past seven decades.