The Andaman and Nicobar Police have finalised a Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract (CAMC) with Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) to restore and sustain the operational readiness of their fast interceptor boats (FIBs). The agreement, signed in the presence of Samir Bera, AGM, GRSE, and Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal, Director General of Police, covers four vessels initially, with the maintenance of the remaining six to follow in phases.
Andaman fast interceptor boats maintenance to boost operational readiness
Officials said the CAMC reflects the islands’ priority to maintain robust coastal surveillance. The FIBs operate close to harbour areas where the Navy and Coast Guard concentrate patrols beyond five nautical miles. Local patrols by police marine units are therefore essential to secure harbour approaches, deter illegal fishing, assist with search and rescue and respond to incidents within restricted waters.
“The FIBs play an important role when it comes to our coastal surveillance here in this archipelago. Simultaneously, its maintenance is also our top priority, and therefore, we have signed an MoU with GRSE to maintain full fitness,” DGP Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal told the media.
These 12-tonne vessels were supplied to the Andaman and Nicobar Police during 2010–11 under Phase I of the Coastal Security Scheme administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Designed and constructed by GRSE, a central public sector unit under the Ministry of Defence, the boats were previously covered by an annual maintenance arrangement with GRSE until July 2017.
Attempts to secure long-term maintenance through open tenders proved unsuccessful in the past due to limited participation by competent bidders. Interim repairs and piecemeal fixes carried out thereafter were described by officials as inefficient, costly and unsustainable. In-house technical teams maintained the fleet for a time, but delays in sourcing proprietary OEM spares on the islands prolonged vessel downtime.
Under the new CAMC, which will run for three years after a 60-day mobilisation period, GRSE will provide preventive, routine and breakdown maintenance, deploy trained technical personnel, and supply authorised spares and consumables. The contract also establishes minimum operational performance parameters and includes regular performance monitoring and reporting to the police marine command.
“The Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract will significantly enhance the operational availability of FIBs, and also it will reinforce the coastal security of Andaman and Nicobar Islands,” said Niharika Bhatt, Superintendent of Police, Marine Force, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The vessels are capable of achieving speeds of 35 nautical miles per hour and are GPS-enabled. Their primary duties include access control of restricted harbour areas and support to the Andaman and Nicobar Command, Central Industrial Security Force and port control units. The boats will also assist in firefighting, medical evacuation, pollution control and protection of natural resources against illegal fishing within harbour limits.
Officials say the renewed partnership with GRSE restores OEM-level technical support and an assured supply chain for genuine spares. By reducing downtime and improving maintenance efficiency, the CAMC aims to keep the interceptor fleet mission-ready for routine patrols and contingency response across the archipelago.
Key Takeaways:
- GRSE and Andaman and Nicobar Police have signed a three-year Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract covering four fast interceptor boats.
- The CAMC ensures OEM-level support, assured spares supply and reduced downtime for Andaman fast interceptor boats maintenance.
- Contract includes preventive and breakdown maintenance, trained technical personnel and regular performance monitoring.
- The move strengthens coastal surveillance, harbour access control and supports search and rescue, firefighting and pollution response.
