GRSE launches 5th Fast Patrol Vessel for coast guard

Kolkata: The fifth and last Fast Patrol Vessel for the Indian Coast Guard was launched at the Raja Bagan Dockyard Unit of premier warship maker Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) here on Saturday.

The ship, to be commissioned as ICGS Kanaklata Barua, was launched at Yard 2117 by Veena Ajay Kumar, wife of Secretary Defence (Production) Ajay Kumar in the presence of GRSE Chairman and Managing Director Rear Admiral V.K. Saxena (Retd).

Inspector General Rajan Bargotra, Commander Coast Guard Region (North East) and others senior GRSE and ICG Officials graced the occasion.

The ship - 50M long, 7.5 M wide and with a displacement of around 308 Tons - has a maximum speed of 34 knots with an endurance of more than 1,500 nautical miles.

The FPVs come with an efficient hull form developed in-house and proven after extensive model testing, a GRSE official said.

The first ship of this class, ICGS Priyadarshini, has already been commissioned on March 27.

The FPV designs, which are exclusive to GRSE are an improvisation on the Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) built by the defence PSU for the Indian Coast Guard in 2013.

The fuel- efficient and powerful platforms are well suited for patrolling, anti-smuggling, anti-poaching, and rescue operations.

They are fitted with state-of-the-art main engines with Advanced Control Systems and Water Jet Units and an 'Integrated Bridge System' assimilating all Communication and Navigation Systems.

The key armament of a 40/60 Gun and improved habitability features with fully air-conditioned modular accommodation for 35 personnel are the other salient features of these ships.

The company would not undertake the post-launch activities which include balance fitting out of the ship, readiness of ship systems and setting to work of equipment/ systems. Thereafter, the ship would be put to sea for trials before final delivery.

In a period of over five decades since inception in 1960, GRSE has successfully developed an array of world-class platforms including frigates, missile corvettes, anti-submarine warfare corvettes and landing craft utility ships for the Indian Navy, all of them armed with high-tech infrastructure.

The official said GRSE is well-positioned to construct large warships harnessing advanced modular shipbuilding technology which is at par with the best in the world.