Surface Forces: The Indian Fast FACs

Archives

July 9, 2010: India recently commissioned two more Car Nicobar class FACs (fast attack craft). These 600 ton fast patrol boats are locally designed and built. Six are now in service, and four more will be completed in the next year. The ships have been a great success. With a top speed of 63 kilometers an hour, the Car Nicobars can stay at sea for about six days at a time (cruising at 22 kilometers an hour). The ships are very maneuverable because they use water jet propulsion.

Armament consists of a 30mm autocannon in a turret, two 12.7mm machine-guns and some shoulder fired anti-aircraft missiles. The crew of 49 live and work in air conditioned compartments. Each ship costs about $11 million, which is a very good price for a 48.9 meter/152 foot long coast guard vessel. India needs ships like this, because it has 7,500 kilometers of coastline to keep watch over.

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contribute. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   contribute   Close