India to give maritime aircraft,two choppers to Seychelles

The aircraft are being provided over and above a $ 5 million assistance to the island nation for defence-related projects that will help it strengthen its security forces. The two Chetak helicopters and a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft will be delivered in just over a year. The three aircraft have been placed on order with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

“The Indian Navy will also make additional visits this year to conduct surveillance and hydrographic survey. During these visits,Seychellois personnel can embark on board the Indian Navy Ships for maintenance training and conduct drills and exercises,” said Defence Minister AK Antony whose delegation includes Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar and the Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral DK Dewan,said.

India will also deploy a maritime surveillance aircraft of either the navy or the coast guard to Seychelles at the earliest. These aircraft will be employed for EEZ surveillance and will help identify pirate vessels in the region.

In the past year,there have been increasing incidents of piracy near Seychelles that have hurt the economy of the nation which depends primarily on tourism and fishing. India had first deployed a warship,the INS Nirdeshak,after an urgent request by the country in April last year after pirates struck in its waters. India now keeps a warship permanently in the area.

The flagship patrol vessel of the Seychelles Coast Guard,SCG Topaz,has also been dispatched to Seychelles after an overhaul. The Topaz,a fast-track craft that was being refurnished at a cost of over $ 4 million at Visakhapatnam,was gifted to the nation by India.