TomOcampo9313 at 14:02, 6 May 2026

2026-05-06T14:02:18Z

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{{Short description|Indian navy patrol craft}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}{{italic title|string=Solas Marine}}
{{Infobox ship 
|infobox_caption=Solas Marine fast interceptor boat
|section1={{Infobox ship/image
| image = Solas Marine fast interceptor craft T-403.jpg
| image_caption = Solas Marine interceptor craft T-403 underway
}}

|section2={{Infobox ship/class overview
| builders = Solas Marine Lanka (Pvt) Ltd
| operators = *[[Indian Navy]]
*[[Mozambique Defence Armed Forces#Navy|Mozambique Navy]]
| class_before =
| class_after =
| subclasses =
| built_range =
| in_commission_range = 2013–present
| total_ships_building =
| total_ships_planned = 80
| total_ships_completed = 80
| total_ships_canceled =
| total_ships_active = *76 (Indian Navy)
*4 (Mozambique Navy)
| total_ships_laid_up =
| total_ships_lost =
| total_ships_retired =
| total_ships_scrapped =
| total_ships_preserved =
}}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics
| hide_header =
| header_caption =
| type =
| displacement =
| length = *{{convert|16.33|m|abbr=on}} LOA
*{{convert|13.3|m|abbr=on}} LWL
| beam = {{convert|3.8|m|abbr=on}}
| draught = {{convert|0.8|m|abbr=on}}
| draft =
| power = 2 × {{convert|873|hp|abbr=on}} engines
| propulsion = Water Jets & Surface Drive
| speed = {{convert|45|kn}}
| range = {{convert|200|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|15|kn}}
| complement = 4
| sensors =
| EW =
| armament =
| armour =
| armor =
| aircraft =
| aircraft_facilities =
| notes =
}}
}}
'''Solas Marine fast interceptor boats''' (FIC) are vessels being built for the [[Indian Navy]] by a shipyard located along the [[Hamilton Canal]] at [[Wattala]], near [[Colombo]], owned by Solas Marine Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. Solas Marine Lanka (Pvt) Ltd is part of [[Dubai]]-based Solas Marine Services Group.<ref name=dn>{{cite web |title=Indian Navy to Acquire 80 Interceptor Boats from Sri Lanka |url=http://www.defencenow.com/news/237/indian-navy-to-acquire-80-interceptor-boats-from-sri-lanka.html |website=Defence Now |accessdate=20 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404161359/http://www.defencenow.com/news/237/indian-navy-to-acquire-80-interceptor-boats-from-sri-lanka.html |archivedate=4 April 2012 }}</ref><ref name=dfi>{{cite web |title=Sri Lanka firm wins Indian Navy boats order |url=http://defenceforumindia.com/forum/subcontinent-central-asia/23173-sri-lanka-firm-wins-indian-navy-boat-order.html |website=Defence Forum India |accessdate=20 January 2013}}</ref><ref name=lbo>{{cite web |title=Sri Lanka firm wins Indian Navy boat order |url=http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?nid=876690561 |website=Lanka Business Online |accessdate=20 January 2013}}</ref><ref name=hin>{{cite news |title=Southern Naval Command to induct fast interceptor crafts for coastal patrolling |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/southern-naval-command-to-induct-fast-interceptor-crafts-for-coastal-patrolling/article4361655.ece |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=31 January 2013}}</ref>

==Development history==
The [[India]]n ministry of defence (MOD) on 22 May 2009 sent out request for proposal (RfP) to 43 shipyards in India and other countries for 80 FICs. After the bids were submitted by the contenders, they were evaluated by the technical evaluation committee (TEC). Thereafter [[Sri Lanka]]n shipyard Solas Marine was shortlisted for supply of the 80 boats. A deal worth {{INRConvert|3|b|0}} for the same was signed in the last week of September 2011. As per the agreement, the 80 boats were to be supplied in batches of 15 and the induction of first batch was to take place within 36 months from the signing of the contract.<ref name=dn /><ref name=dfi /><ref name=lbo />

==Description==
The Solas Marine interceptor boats are {{convert|16|m|adj=on}} long boats with beam of {{convert|3.8|m}} and have draught of {{convert|0.8|m}}. They have deep–vee chine hull form with sharp water entry to ensure a soft ride in adverse sea states. The Vacuum infusion process have been used to build hull, which ensure significant strength gains, intrinsic to the technology. The vessels have excellent sea-keeping and dynamic stability capability at high speed in sea state 3 and is sea worthy up to sea state 4. The craft's model has been tested at Wolfson, UK. The upper deck canopy of each vessel is bullet proof and has air conditioned crew area to meet all crew comfort and safety measures. They are water-jet propelled with top speed of {{convert|45|kn}} and have endurance of {{convert|200|nmi}} at {{convert|12|kn}}. They are also fitted with night vision devices, communication equipment, automatic identification system (AIS) and radar, besides carrying a [[Long Range Acoustic Device]] (LRAD), a sonic weapon used for scaring pirates away. The vessels carry a crew of 4 and can carry a variety of armament from Heavy Machine Guns to Grenade Launchers. They are intended for intercepting suspicious boats for inspection and verification.<ref name=hin /><ref>{{cite web|title=Coastal Defence – Four Fast Interceptor Crafts Join Southern Naval Command, Kochi|url=http://indiannavy.nic.in/press-release/coastal-defence-fast-interceptor-craft-joins-indian-navy|publisher=Indian Navy|accessdate=21 April 2014}}</ref>

==Deployment==
Out of 80 boats, 31 are based in [[Western Naval Command]], 16 in [[Southern Naval Command]], 33 in [[Eastern Naval Command]].<ref name=hin /> They are in services with navy's [[Sagar Prahari Bal]] for guarding naval assets and strategic installations from seaborne threats, harbour defence (primarily, protection of vessels inside the harbour area), and patrolling the seafront with state marine police forces.<ref name=hin /> Additional units have been placed at [[Andrott|Androth]] in the [[Lakshadweep Islands]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Navy deploys interceptor craft in Lakshadweep |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/Navy-deploys-interceptor-craft-in-Lakshadweep/article16685967.ece |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250517153707/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/Navy-deploys-interceptor-craft-in-Lakshadweep/article16685967.ece |archive-date=2025-05-17 |access-date=2026-03-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en}}</ref>

In 2022, two Solas Marine-class boats were transferred from Indian Navy to [[Mozambique Defence Armed Forces#Navy|Mozambique Navy]] on board {{Ship|INS|Kesari|L15}}. Mozambique Navy personnel were given training to operate the new interceptor boats.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-15 |title=India hands over two additional interceptor boats to Mozambique |url=https://www.military.africa/2022/01/india-hands-over-two-additional-interceptor-boats-to-mozambique/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=Military Africa |language=en-US}}</ref> On 8 November 2024, {{Ship|INS|Gharial|L23}} transferred another 2 fast interceptor crafts of the class to the [[Mozambique Defence Armed Forces#Navy|Mozambique Navy]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-10 |title=Indian Navy gifts two Fast Interceptor Crafts to Mozambique |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-navy-mozambique-fast-interceptor-crafts-maritime-threat-indian-ocean-region-2631002-2024-11-10 |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-09 |title=HANDING OVER TWO INTERCEPTORS TO MOZAMBIQUE AT NACALA |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2072061 |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=[[Press Information Bureau|PIB]]}}</ref>

In January 2026, it was announced that [[Bharat Electronics|BEL]] and Weapons and Electronics Systems Engineering Establishment (WESEE) of the Indian Navy has developed the Advanced Autonomous Navigation & Control Software (A2NCS) [[software suite]] for [[Unmanned surface vessel|unmanned surface vessels]] (USVs). The software had been integrated onto an in-service [[Solas Marine fast interceptor boat|fast interceptor boat]] and has already been deployed for [[Mine countermeasures vessel|mine countermeasure roles]] and [[Military exercise|combat exercises]]. The software-equipped boat can operate in three different modes: remote-controlled role, autonomous [[waypoint]] navigation mode and fully autonomous mode. The software is a network of integrated [[radar]], [[Automatic identification system|AIS]], [[Electro-optical sensor|EO]]/[[Infrared search and track|IR]], [[Inertial navigation system|INS]], [[GPS]] as well as electronic navigation charts for [[situational awareness]]. The software has also received IRClass certification from the [[Indian Register of Shipping]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-01-18 |title=Indian Navy and BEL develop indigenous software enabling surface vessel operations without crew |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indian-navy-and-bel-develop-indigenous-software-enabling-surface-vessel-operations-without-crew/articleshow/126641735.cms |access-date=2026-01-25 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>

==Delivery==
The FICs were to be delivered in batches, with each batch consisting of 04 FICs. As of January 2013, the first batch of FICs were undergoing trials in [[Sri Lanka]]. The delivery of the initial batch of FICs was scheduled for December 2012 and the following batch in April 2013. This was delayed at the manufacturer's end, pushing the delivery schedule by a few months.<ref name=hin /> As of March 2013 first bath of four craft were delivered to southern command which were inducted by it on 20 March 2013 and Southern Naval Command was also scheduled to receive 12 more of these craft in the coming months. The FIC's were to be deployed in Ezhimala and in the islands of Kavaratti, Minicoy, and Androth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontierindia.net/indian-navy-southern-command-inducts-four-fast-crafts-for-sagar-prahari-bal#axzz2O6oKeBdq |title=Indian Navy Southern command inducts four fast crafts for Sagar Prahari Bal |website=Frontier India |date=20 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.diabgroup.com/en-GB/Cases/Marine/Four-Fast-Interception-Crafts-to-Patrol-the-Indian-Coastline |title=Four Fast Interception Crafts to Patrol the Indian Coastline |website=Diab Group |accessdate=2013-09-26}}</ref>

As of 2017, all 20 batches have been delivered by the Shipyard with the last batch's delivery on 28 March 2017 against original schedule of 02 April 2017.

==See also==
*[[List of active Indian Navy ships]]

==Citations==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
*{{cite web|url=http://www.idexuae.ae/page.cfm/Action=Exhib/ExhibID=132 |title=IDEX 2013 – Solas Marine Services Group |publisher=Idexuae.ae }}

==External links==
{{externalimage|topic=Solas Marine fast interceptor boat |float=right|width=200px
|image1=[http://www.diabgroup.com/~/media/Images/Global%20Images/Landscape/Marine/topimage_673x294_FIC%20CCG%20India.jpg?mw=673 T-403 Front side view]
|image2=[http://frontierindia.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Solas-Marine-Lanka-Fast-Interception-Craf-for-Indian-Navy.jpg T-403 Rear side View]
}}

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20121218180508/http://defencesecurityindia.com/dsiNew/focus.php?value=1466 Indian navy to acquire 80 interceptor boats from Sri Lanka]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105918/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article1319332.ece Navy to beef up surveillance with new interceptor craft]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130326072145/http://frontierindia.org/forum/f3/pics-solas-marine-lanka-fast-interception-craft-indian-navy-424/ Pics of Solas Marine Lanka Fast Interception Craft for Indian Navy]
*[http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=87774 Boats for Indian navy undergo sea trials off Colombo]

[[Category:Patrol boats of the Indian Navy]]
[[Category:Patrol boat classes]]
[[Category:Ships built in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Military boats]]
[[Category:Maritime security of India]]

Solas Marine-class fast interceptor boats - Revision history

TomOcampo9313 at 14:02, 6 May 2026