Despite calls for economic blockade by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha, Defense deals between India and Sri Lankan firms are strengthening. The latest on this is the deal by Indian Navy to procure 80 interception boats at a cost of Rs 300 crore from a Sri Lanka-based ship manufacturer Solas Marine services.
Dubai based multinational company, Solas Marine Services Group was established the Solas Marine Lanka (Pvt) Ltd under Sri Lanka Board of Investment. The company is located along the Hamilton Canal at Wattala, near Colombo.
The company said that with the dawn of a new era with the ending of the war in Sri Lanka, Solas Marine Lanka is keen to recognize the immediate need to the fishing industry to manufacture boats and yachts to standard and custom specifications using state of the art technology from the United States and Canada.
The company has adopted the Quality Management System (QMS), comply ISO 9001:2009 International standards. The company anticipates significant expansion in operations by employing more personnel and acquiring various quality standards.
Solas Marine Services which houses its flagship in Dubai, UAE with branches in Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia, is a major solutions provider for the marine industry, particularly specializing in life saving and survival equipment.
Delivery of the first 15 FICs is expected to be completed by the end of 2012 and the next 80 would be inducted in coming 36 months, they said.
The boats, with speeds between 45-50 miles per hour, would be mainly deployed for coastal security duties and would be used for engaging any suspicious vessel or activity in these areas, they said.
With four to five crew members and capability to patrol far off areas, the boats would also be deployed to provide protection to vital assets and installations along the coastal areas.
Post 26/11 attacks, the Navy was given the responsibility to look after coastal security along with the Coast Guard and the local authorities.