[samanthalueus]

Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Co. Ltd said on Monday that it received an order from a West African client to build two offshore patrol vessels worth a combined Rs. 1,192 crore, marking its first international naval contract.


The contract value would go up to Rs. 2,504 crore if the client exercises an option for two more similar ships, Pipavav Defence said in a filing to the Mumbai Stock Exchange.


In 2011, India’s defence ministry had placed orders with Pipavav for five similar offshore patrol vessels.


“One of the thrust areas of the company is to focus on foreign military sales to friendly countries,” a company spokesman said, adding that it was negotiating an order for four so-called corvette type warships with a global company.