June 13, 2002	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 1, 1423

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NEW DELHI, June 12: India on Wednesday launched a fast patrol vessel, which can be used for anti-smuggling and anti-insurgency operations and provide back-up to the Indian navy during emergencies, the defence ministry said.

The vessel, capable of a speed of 35 knots, “is the fastest in its category with a range of 1,500 nautical miles,” the ministry said in an official statement.

The patrol boat was designed and manufactured by the state-run Goa Shipyard.

“The vessel is fitted with a 30 millimetre gun and machines guns ... state of the art navigation and communication equipment,” the statement said.

The ship, which is capable of staying at sea for long periods and can house a crew of 35, is also fitted with night vision devices and is capable of high speed hot pursuit and capture operations, it said.

“It can also support the navy during wartime as a coastal convoy escort and a communication link,” besides search and rescue missions, the defence ministry said. —AFP