By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR:Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), a leading Defence Public Sector Undertaking, achieved another milestone in indigenous shipbuilding with the formal handing over of ICGS Ajit (Yard 1277), a state-of-the-art Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV), to the Indian Coast Guard today.
The handing-over ceremony was preceded by the First Reading Ceremony and was attended by GSL Chairman and Managing Director Shri Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, Director (Operations) RAdm Nelson D’Souza, NM, IN (Retd), Director (Finance) Shri Jahangeer Alam Ansari, Director (CPP&BD) Shri Nagesh Das Pai, DIG V. K. Parmar, TM, PD (MAT), and Commanding Officer of ICGS Ajit Comdt (JG) Manish Talan, along with senior officials of the Indian Coast Guard and GSL.
Built with more than 65 per cent indigenous content, ICGS Ajit reflects the growing capabilities of India’s domestic defence shipbuilding industry and the Government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The 51.43-metre-long and 8-metre-wide vessel has a displacement of 330 tonnes at a draught of 2.5 metres. It is powered by twin marine diesel engines driving controllable pitch propellers (CPP), a first-of-its-kind feature in this class of Fast Patrol Vessels, providing improved propulsion efficiency and operational performance.
With a top speed of more than 27 knots and an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles, the vessel is equipped with an advanced integrated machinery control system to enhance operational readiness, efficiency and sustainability.
ICGS Ajit will be operated by a crew of 6 officers and 35 sailors. The vessel has been designed to undertake a range of critical maritime security missions, including fisheries protection, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance, coastal patrolling, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations, as well as search and rescue missions.
The induction of ICGS Ajit will strengthen the Indian Coast Guard’s capabilities in safeguarding India’s coastal and offshore areas and contribute to the country’s maritime security architecture.
The handing over of the vessel further underlines Goa Shipyard Limited’s commitment to delivering advanced, high-performance platforms for India’s defence forces. It also reinforces GSL’s role in advancing indigenous shipbuilding, promoting defence self-reliance and supporting India’s ambition to emerge as a global shipbuilding hub under the Make in India initiative.
With continued focus on technology, innovation and indigenisation, GSL remains committed to strengthening India’s maritime capabilities and contributing to the growth of the country’s blue economy.
