The high-speed boats are equipped with light and heavy machine guns
For the safety of vital offshore oil and gas installations which contribute major chunk of national energy, the Indian Navy has introduced Immediate Support Vessels (ISVs) and commissioned the 81st Immediate Support Vessel dedicated squadron in the Western Naval Command on Tuesday.
Bombay High oil field and other gas fields are always on the enemy's radar. Oil and gas installations located offshore contribute 70 per cent of the indigenous hydrocarbon production and to keep an eye on their safety the ISVs are pressed into service.
Navy officials said, “The security of these national offshore assets are of vital economic importance, demand constant surveillance, response capability and swift reaction to emergency situations.”
ISVs are equipped with advanced navigational and communication equipments and armed with heavy and light machine guns. These vessels are designed to achieve more speed than other warships. ISVs are ingeniously built by M/S SHM Shipcare.