HANDING OVER TWO INTERCEPTORS TO MOZAMBIQUE

Tags: International News

HANDING OVER TWO INTERCEPTORS TO MOZAMBIQUE 

Why in news?

• As part of its capacity-building engagements with friendly foreign nations of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the Government of India gifted two water-jet propelled Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) to the Government of Mozambique at NACALA port, on 08 Nov 24.

Important Points:

• The FICs were transshipped from India by INS Gharial.
• The Port of Nacala is a deep-water port in Mozambique that serves as a gateway for the Nacala Corridor, a region that includes Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique: 

Features:

• These water-jet-propelled boats have a top speed of45 knots and a range of 200 nautical miles at 12 knots.
•  They can carry a crew of five personnel and are equipped with machine guns and bullet-resistant cabins. 

Significance of FICs:

• The two FICs will significantly aid the Government of Mozambique in its effort to combat maritime terrorism and ongoing insurgency in the Cabo Delgado province. 

Role of India in maritime security of Mozambique:

• Earlier, to bolster the efforts of the Government of Mozambique for maritime security, the Government of India had gifted two large Interceptor vessels in 2019, followed by two FICs of the same class in Jan 2022.
• The Indian Navy has been seen by several nations in the IOR as the preferred partner for maritime security.
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