India commissions third IPV for Coast Guard

The Indian Coast Guard has commissioned third of the series of eight Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs), Rajkiran, at its eastern naval command base in Visakhapatnam, India.

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers-built Rajkiran IPV is 50m-long, has a maximum speed of 34k and an endurance of 1500nm.

Integrated with modern weaponry and advanced communication and navigational equipment, the 300t indigenous IPV can support multiple close-coast missions including surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue, and medical evacuation.

The vessel features integrated bridge management system (IBMS), integrated machinery control system (IMCS), an integrated gun mount and an indigenous fire control system (FCS).

Based at Haldia, the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Rajkiran will be under Administrative and Operational control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (North-East).

During the commissioning ceremony, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Anil Chopra said that the Indian Coast Guard will work closely with the Navy in to ensure the coastal and maritime security of the country.

Anil Chopra also outlined the overall objective of Maritime and Coastal Security of the nation.

Commanded by lieutenant commander Sumanta Roy, the high-speed water jet propelled ICGS Rajkiran is capable of accommodating a crew of 05 Officers and 30 Enrolled Personnel.