The government on Saturday signed a Rs 642-crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited for procurement of 28 key systems for 11 new-generation offshore patrol vessels and three cadet training ships for the Indian Navy, the defence ministry said. The Ministry of Defence, in a statement, said it signed the contract with Bharat Electronics Limited in New Delhi for "procurement of 28 EON-51 systems for 11 new-generation offshore patrol vessels and three cadet training ships for the Indian Navy at a total cost of Rs 642.17 crore, including taxes under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category". EON-51 is an Electro Optical Fire Control System which provides search, detection and classification of targets using electro-optical and thermal imagers devices, it said. "The scheme will generate employment over a period of three years and encourage active participation of various Indian industries including MSMEs, thus significantly contributing to the government's efforts to achieve 'Aatmanirbharta' in defence," the ministry said.