10:00am Thursday 29th July 2010
By Matt Smith
A HAMPSHIRE hovercraft manufacturer has landed its biggest ever contract to make its floating machines for the Indian coastguard.
Southampton-based Griffon Hoverwork won a £34m contract with the Indian Government for 12 of its 8000TD medium hovercraft.
It is the largest ever order for UK hovercraft and secures three years of work for the company, including training both in the UK and India, where Griffon’s product support distributor MSC Mumbai will deliver a repair and maintenance programme.
Speaking from Delhi, where he was part of Prime Minister David Cameron’s party, Business Secreatry Vince Cable said: “This contract is a very significant step for this Southampton-based firm.
“Patrolling a coastline as long as that of India is a huge challenge and I am delighted that a UK firm has been selected to help the Indian coastguard in this task.
“I wish the company every success in their future, and hope this partnership leads on to further cooperation.”
The 8000TD is popular with coastguards as it can be configured to carry passengers, vehicles and equipment for disaster relief or medical evacuation. At 21.3m in length it can reach speeds of 45 knots.
The Indian coastguard previously bought some of the hovercraft in 2001.
Griffon employs up to 200 people in Marchwood and on the Isle of Wight and exports worldwide to a range of clients including the military, recently sealing a £4m deal to supply specially designed amphibious equipment to the Royal Marines. The firm has also made craft for the Swedish navy.
Griffon Hoverwork is a world leader in the design, manufacture and operation of hovercraft, with more than 150 hovercraft in service in over 40 countries.
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