PANAJI, Feb 21: Defence Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman Thursday asked public sector defence undertakings
in India to look at the world as a market for their products.
She was speaking at Vasco town after launching a Coast
Guard offshore patrol vessel (OPV) of the Goa Shipyard
Limited, a public sector undertaking.
“I want not just the Goa Shipyard but every defence
public sector undertaking to look at manufacturing of
international class. Not just look at your captive market like
the defence forces, but look at world as a market which you
need to reach out to and compete globally,” she said.
Internationally there is an immense interest in buying
defence products like the OPVs from India, she said.
Many overseas clients have shown an interest in buying
from India, the minister said.
“I want the management (of defence PSUs) together with
experts to capture those markets which are appreciative of
your work. If they are appreciative of your work, half the
work is done. You need to go and negotiate,” she said.
“You should have the confidence to get up and say that
there is a market and can the government help us to get there
and get it. You are capable of producing more. Please put on
that attitude to say that we are able to compete globally and
help us in that,” the minister said, adding, “We will still
support you.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modis call is not just to
Make in India but also to export, the minister said. “The PM
is looking at India as a manufacturing hub,” she said.
Coast Guard Director General Rajendra Singh said
launching of the OPV is essential considering the ever dynamic
security scenario.
“The presence of Indian Coast Guard addresses twin
objectives of deterrence and reassurance,” he said. The Yard
1233 ship isa new generation OPV equipped with sophisticated
sensors and equipment. It is also capable of operating a light
combat helicopter,” Singh said.
Goa Shipyard Chairman and Managing Director Commodore
B B Nagpal said launching of the vessel within two years of
laying the keel is a significant achievement.
The ‘Sachet’ vessel is the first of five such OPVs
being built by the yard. The project of constructing the five
OPVs for was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in
November 2016.
The OPV will be assigned the work of patrolling and
policing Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), an official
said.
The vessel is 105 metre long and has a displacement of
2,350 tonnes at full load and an endurance of 600 nautical
miles. A team of 14 officers will be commanding it with a crew
of 133 personnel. (PTI)
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