FPV, 2 interceptors add more teeth to Coast Guard fleet

Bengaluru, March 30: Continuing with its efforts to add more teeth to its operational abilities, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) commissioned three more assets to its mighty fleet.

N Andavan, Defence PRO, based out of Chennai told OneIndia that the three ICG assets include one Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) ICGS Anagh and two interceptor boats C-430 and C-417.

He said Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar Singh (Retd), Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, commissioned FPV and boats in a traditional ceremony with full military honours. Inspector General SP Sharma, Commander Coast Guard Region (East) was present during the occasion.

These assets are expected to enhance Coast Guard's capability in furthering its mandate of maritime safety and security, environmental protection and coastal security.

FPVs workhorse of Coast Guard

Designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd, the ICGS Anagh is capable of undertaking multifarious tasks such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue (SAR) and medical evacuation.

"The FPV is a 50-meter long, water jet propelled high speed platform having displacement of 290 tonnes and maximum speed of 33 knots. It has an endurance of 1500 NM (nautical miles) at and economical speed of 13 knots," Andavan said.

The FPV has a complement of 39 personnel (5 officers and 34 personnel). ICGS Anagh is commanded by Commandant Manish Bahl.

"The FPVS are the work horses of the Coast Guard in the medium category of patrol vessels," he added.

36 interceptor boats to add more power

The interceptors C-430 and C-417 are among 36 boats being built and inducted into the Coast Guard. These have been designed and built indigenously by Larsen and Toubro Ltd.

The boats have an overall length of 27.80 meters, with a displacement of 101 tonnes and maximum speed of 45 knots. They are provisioned with twin diesel engines with twin water jet propulsion and have an endurance of 500 NM at 20 knots of speed.

These boats are capable of undertaking multifarious tasks such as surveillance, interdiction, SAR and coordinated operations with other sea-air units. Each of them has a complement of one officer and 11 enrolled personnel.

The interceptors are fitted with the state-of-the-art communication, navigational equipment and 12.7 mm Heavy Machine Gun (Prahari) on board as main armament.

The C-430 is commanded by Deputy Commandant A K Mahapatra and C-417 by Asst Commandant Gainemlung Kamei.

Both interceptors have been placed under the administrative and operational control of the Commander Coast Guard Region East.