Indian Coast Guard takes delivery of ICGS Aryaman patrol vessel

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has received its eighteenth fast patrol vessel (FPV), ICGS Aryaman, from Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), 95 days ahead of the original contractual schedule.

In October 2010, CSL was contracted to design, build and deliver 20 FPVs for ICG.

The vessel is scheduled to be operated from Kochi Coast Guard Station. The FPVs in this class are 50m-long, have a beam of 7.6m and are capable of achieving a maximum speed of 33k.

The patrol vessels are equipped with long-range gun and ultra-modern vessel control navigation and communication tools.

They are designed primarily to conduct patrolling within the Exclusive Economic Zone & Coastal Patrol, carry out anti smuggling, anti piracy and search and rescue operations, and for fisheries protection and monitoring.

The vessels can also be engaged to provide a communication link, and escort coastal convoys during hostilities and wars.

A total of seven FPVs have been delivered to ICG by the company in this financial year. CSL also handed over a Buoy Tender Vessel to the Department of Lighthouses and Lightships.

As per the terms of the contract, the final FPV is scheduled to be delivered by March 2017. However, the company is aiming to complete the deliveries by mid-2016.

In December 2015, CSL launched the nineteenth FPV, named ICGS Atulya.