NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Defence has awarded a contract for design, construction and supply of four Survey Vessels for Indian Navy to Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers ( GRSE ) Limited, after a competitive bidding process.The order value for these four vessels is Rs. 2435.15 crore. The first ship is to be delivered within 36 months and remaining within an interval of six months for each vessel. The project completion time is 54 months from date of signing the contract. With this contract, GRSE’s Order Book as on date stands at Rs. 22,604 crore. The GRSE is also currently handling a project to make three Stealth Frigates for Indian Navy under P17A Project.The defence PSU has been a pioneer warship builder, having delivered the highest number of warships till date since its inception in 1960. The 98 warships built by GRSE range from Advanced Frigates to Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvettes to Fleet Tankers, Fast Attack Crafts, etc.The Survey Vessels (large) will be 110 metre long with deep displacement of 3,300 tonnes and complement of 231, capable of fullscale coastal and deep-water hydrographic survey of ports and harbours, approaches and determination of navigational channels/routes. In addition, the vessels will be undertaking surveys of maritime limits up to EEZ/extended continental shelf. These shall be deployed for collection of oceanographic and geophysical data for defence applications. In their secondary role, they shall be capable of performing limited search & rescue, limited ocean research and operate as hospital ship/casualty holding ships.The vessels are equipped with highly advanced state-of-the-art hydrographic equipment & sensors including a Hello Hanger to accommodate one Advanced Light Helicopter.