MCMV manufacture to begin in Goa next year: Parrikar

Panaji, Oct 23 (IANS) The manufacture of mines counter measure vessels at the Defence Ministry operated Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) will begin by next year, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Sunday.

"The technology acquisition parameter is in the final stage, then there will be a final negotiation of price and the next year, actual construction of mines counter measure vessel will start," Parrikar said while inaugurating a helicopter maintenance and repair centre in Sattari, located 40 kms from Panaji.

The centre is a joint venture between the Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the French Safran Group, which manufactures equipment for the Rafale fighter jets.

Last year, the Goa-based shipyard had been awarded a contract to manufacture 12 MCMVs at a cost of around Rs 30,000 crore by the Defence Ministry.

"We hope it will create employment on a big scale in ship building industry and defence industry," the former Goa Chief Minister said, adding that Goans should not just hanker after government jobs but also take the opportunity to upgrade their technical skills to target private sector employment, in this case at the helicopter maintenance and repair centre.

"(In the) engineering industry, we do have technical manpower. Sometimes they require some training. If you check, you will find Goans in hi-tech jobs across India. A lot of talent is available locally also," the Defence Minister said.

Parrikar said that 50 per cent of the Rafale deal comes with an offset clause and that efforts could be made to channelise around Rs 1,000 crore-Rs 2,000 crore worth of manufacturing of Rafale parts to Goa.

"I am not a very greedy person. We have a Rs 30,000 crore offset deal. Maybe a Rs 1,000-2,000 (crore) can come Goa’s way. If that can happen, Goa can be satisfied with a small requirement, but will also provide the technological support that is required for such kind of activity," he said.