India`s largest patrol ship to defend oil rigs, coast

The 105-metre INS Saryu, built at Goa Shipyard at the port town of Vasco, will be commissioned and handed over to naval authorities on January 21.

Panaji: India`s largest offshore patrol vessel (OPV) will watch the coast and defend offshore oil installations from attacks, a naval spokesperson said here on Friday.

The 105-metre INS Saryu, built at Goa Shipyard at the port town of Vasco, 35 km from here, will be commissioned and handed over to naval authorities on January 21. "This state-of-the-art vessel will help meet the increasing requirement of the Indian Navy for undertaking ocean surveillance and surface warfare operations to prevent infiltration and transgression of maritime sovereignty," the spokesperson said. "The vessel is suitable for monitoring sea lines of communication, defence of offshore oil installations and other critical offshore national assets. Besides, the vessel can be deployed for escorting high-value ships and fleet support operations," he further said. IANS