Indian Coast Guard commissions two new fast patrol vessels

The Indian Coast Guard has commissioned two new fast patrol vessels (FPVs), ICGS Aryaman and ICGS Atulya, designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).

The vessels represent the 18th and 19th of 20 FPVs, which are being built by CSL under a $338m contract awarded in 2010.

ICGS Aryaman will be based at Kochi in the Indian state of Kerala, under the administrative supervision of the Commander, Coast Guard Region, while ICGS Atulya will be based at Visakhapatnam in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, under the administrative supervision of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (East).

Each ship will have a crew of five officers and 33 enrolled personnel.

The 50m-long indigenous FPVs have a displacement capacity of 317t and can operate at a maximum speed of 33k. They have a range of 1500nm at an economical speed of 13k.

The ships are fitted with advanced communication, navigational equipment and weaponry and are suited to conduct multifarious close-coast missions such as surveillance, search and rescue and interdiction.

Featuring an Integrated Bridge Management System (IBMS) and Integrated Machinery Control System (IMCS), the vessels are also tasked to provide communication link, and escort coastal convoys.