By delivering an offshore patrol vessel to Mauritius, India today exported its first warship.

"This is the first time that the export barrier has been breached. This would be the first among the long line of ships that we hope to export to various parts of the world," Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh said during the warship handing over ceremony.

Built by defence PSU Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited  in Kolkata, the $58.5 million 'CGS Barracuda' measures 74.10 m in length. It is capable of moving at a maximum speed of 22 knots with an approximate displacement of 1350 tonnes.

Describing it as a red-letter day in the history of ship-building in India, Singh said it proves that the industry has come of age.