In June 2025, Goa-based defence Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) launched the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) ‘Achal’, the fifth Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) in a series of eight being indigenously built for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). It is built at a cost of Rs. 473 crores (~USD 62 million).
- The vessel was ceremoniously launched by Kavita Harbola at the GSL facility in Goa, in the presence of Additional Director General(ADG) Anil Kumar Harbola, Coast Guard Commander (Western Seaboard) and Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of GSL.
- ‘Achal’ is designed and constructed under stringent dual-class certification from the Texas, United States of America (USA) based American Bureau of Shipping and Indian Register of Shipping
About Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) ‘Achal’:
i.The ICGS Achal measures 52 metres (m) in length and 8m in breadth, with a displacement of 320 tons(t).
ii.The vessel, powered by Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP)-based propulsion system, the vessel can reach a top speed of 27 knots.
iii.The FPV has been designed and built with over 60% indigenous content, adhering to rigorous dual-class certification standards set by the American Bureau of Shipping and the Indian Register of Shipping.
iv.With its primary role of protection, monitoring, control, and surveillance, ‘Achal’ is equipped to safeguard offshore assets and island territories.
About Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV):
A Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) is a type of small to medium sized naval or coast guard vessel, designed for rapid-response maritime operations. It is crucial for enforcing maritime law, conducting search and rescue operations, and ensuring coastal security.
- It is often powered by diesel engines with water jets or CPP and operates typically from 25 to 35 knots (46-65 kilometre, km) to intercept intruders quickly.
i.Under the Buy-Indian Designed, Developed, and Manufactured (Buy-IDDM) scheme, the Ministry of Defence(MoD) awarded a contract to GSL in March 2022 for the construction of 8 FPVs for the ICG.
ii.The keel for the first four vessels was laid in August 2023. Following this, the first and second vessels, ‘ICGS Adamya’ and ‘ICGS Akshar’, were launched in October 2024, while the third and fourth vessels, ‘ICGS Amulya’ and ‘ICGS Akshay’, were launched in January 2025.
About Indian Coast Guard (ICG):
Director General(DG)– Paramesh Sivamani
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1977
