News: India to build first-ever indigenous Polar Research Vessel with Norwegian firm.
India to build first-ever indigenous Polar Research Vessel (PRV)
- A PRV is a ship which serves a platform for research in the polar regions (areas surrounding the North and South Poles).
- It can also help scientists undertake research in the ocean realm.
- MoU: An MoU has been signed between the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata, and Norway’s Kongsberg Oslo to build the PRV.
- GRSE, which has built warships, survey and research vessels, will build the PRV in its yard in Kolkata.
- Importance: It will be equipped with the latest scientific equipment, enabling researchers to explore the oceans’ depths and study marine ecosystems.
- The vessel will support advanced oceanic and polar research for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCOPR), boosting India’s scientific capabilities and ‘Make In India’ shipbuilding efforts.
- Polar basis of India: India currently operates three research base stations in the polar regions — Bharati and Maitri in Antarctica, and Himadri in the Arctic region.
- ‘MAHASAGAR’ initiative: This initiative is part of the government’s larger maritime vision, ‘MAHASAGAR’ (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions), aimed at promoting sustainable development and international cooperation in the blue economy.
