Indian Navy successfully completes maiden refit of Mauritius Coast Guard ship

In a significant display of bilateral cooperation and maritime diplomacy, the Indian Navy completed the maiden refit of the Mauritius Coast Guard ship (MCGS) Victory, marking a milestone in enhancing maritime security in the Indian Ocean region. The formal handover ceremony took place at Visakhapatnam on Monday, where Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar AVSM VSM, Flag Officer commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, presided over the event. Mr. Anil Kumar Dip CSK PMSM, Commissioner of Police, Mauritius Police Force, leading a delegation for MILAN-2024, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour and accepted the ship on behalf of the Mauritius Police Force.
MCGS Victory, a Sarojini Naidu Class Fast Patrol Vessel, constructed at Goa Shipyard Limited and handed over to the Mauritius Coast Guard in 2016, underwent a comprehensive refit at the Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam from October 15, 2023 to January 31. The refit encompassed extensive maintenance and repairs of various ship-fit equipment, including hull, engineering, electrical, and weapon systems.
The meticulous process included trials and testing both at harbor and at sea, followed by specialised maintenance and operational training conducted by Indian Naval Training Teams for the crew. The successful completion of the refit ensured that MCGS Victory was fully equipped and prepared to participate in the multilateral naval exercise MILAN 2024, held in the Bay of Bengal.
Beyond technical upgrades, the refit underscored the deepening bond between the Indian Navy and the Mauritius Police Force, strengthening bilateral ties and fostering interoperability between the two maritime forces. The personal and professional interaction during the process is poised to enhance the capabilities of both nations in addressing emerging challenges at sea.