India signs deal to buy 15 fast-interception boats from France

India has signed a deal to buy 15 fast-interception boats (FIBs) from the French shipyard Chantier Naval Couach. The boats are meant for use by the new Sagar Prahari Bal (Sea Patrol Force in Hindi) being raised by Navy. Indian media quoting defence ministry sources said the deal could be worth an estimated $500 million and was concluded on March 27. However, there was no official word on this from the Indian MoD. India is seeking upto 80 FIBs for the Sea Patrol Force which was raised after the attack on Mumbai by sea-borne terrorists in 2008 which cost 200 lives. The Sea patrol Force will be a 1000 man force specially trained to function as a monitoring and interceptor force. It will supplement the Navy and Coast guard.