New ship to boost maritime patrol |03 November 2014

The much awaited naval ship from India, INS Tarasa, has arrived at the Seychelles Coast Guard base on Ile Perseverance.  

Her new name is still under wraps and will be unveiled when she becomes the latest addition to the fleet of SCG later this week.

INS Tarasa is a gift from the government of India to the government of Seychelles to help boost the operational capabilities of the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF).

The chief of naval staff of the Indian Navy, Admiral R.K. Dhowan, will be visiting Seychelles for the handing over ceremony scheduled for November 7.
The patrol ship, a fast attack craft in the Topaz class, is designed for multipurpose missions including patrolling, surveillance, anti-piracy, anti-terrorism, anti-illegal fishing and other such roles.

With an exclusive economic zone of 1.3 million square kilometres, and limited resources available to the Seychelles Coast Guard, it has always been a challenge for the SPDF to effectively patrol and control such an extensive area.  

The gifting of the patrol vessel by India will boost its capability to better protect the island country’s maritime resources, effectively assist mariners in distress and provide the much required security for all those who ply the surrounding waters.

The gifting of the new ship is a testimony not only of the excellent relations between the two countries, but also of India’s commitment of support to the professional development of the defence forces of Seychelles.

This 40-metre long new patrol ship will be the second ship to be gifted by India after PS Topaz in 2005, and will be the fourth in the Seychelles Coast Guard’s existing fleet, the other two being Andromache and Etoile.

The new addition is expected to further enhance Seychelles’ strength in fighting piracy, illegal fishing, drug trafficking and safeguard Seychelles waters and the region.