Indian yard Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Company Ltd said it has won an order to build two offshore patrol vessels for an unnamed West African country.
The value of the contract is US$214.8 million. The orders also include two options for repeat vessels which can be exercised within 24 months and then the order value would increase to over US$400 million, Pipavav Defence said. Both ships have a length of 95 metres and are to be delivered within 32 months, which is also the deadline for the optional units. The order represents the shipbuilder’s fi rst contract with a foreign naval force. The contracted vessels are very similar to five units ordered by the Indian Navy last year, Pipavav Defence said. The company also added it is negotiating for the construction of four corvettes with another foreign navy.