Surface Forces: India Forms A Fleet Of Fast Interception Craft

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November 1, 2011: India is forming a high-speed patrol force to guard coastal waters near major ports. It has ordered 15 high-speed (up to 80 kilometers an hour) FIC (Fast Interception Craft) patrol boats from a French firm, for delivery next year, and another 80 of the same design from a Sri Lankan ship yard for delivery over the next few years. Each of these patrol boats costs about $838,000 and is equipped with radar and armed with machine-guns. Top speed is 80 kilometers an hour and each has a crew of seven. A thousand officers and sailors are being assigned to man the high-speed patrol boat service.