ICGS OPV  ‘Vajra’ commissioned into service at  Kattupalli, Chennai

Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) ‘Vajra’ (meaning Thunderbolt), the 6th Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) was formally commissioned into service at Kattupalli in Chennai. It has been indigenously designed and built by L&T Shipbuilding Ltd under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

• ICGS Vajra will be commanded by Deputy Inspector Alex Thomas and will be based at Tuticorin under the operational control of Coast Guard Eastern Region.
• ‘Vajra’ is the 6th OPV in the series of 7 OPV. The contract was awarded by the Ministry of Defence to L&T Shipbuilding ltd.
• With the joining of this ship, ICG will have 156 Surface Assets & 62 Aircraft in its inventory.

Objective

• It will be deployed specifically for Surveillance of EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zones).
• It will also safeguard the Maritime Interests of India.

Commissioned by 

• It was commissioned by General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
• During the event, Bipin Rawat formally unveiled a ‘plaque’ & ship’s name board ‘Vajra’ at the Chennai Port Trust.

Purpose

• It is also capable of carrying Search and Rescue operations, Law Enforcement, Maritime Patrol.
• It will also carry Pollution Response Equipment for oil spill response at Sea.

Features 

• It is equipped with Modern Navigation and Communication Equipment, Sensors & Machinery.
• It will be equipped with 30 mm and 12.7 mm Guns with Fire Control System for enhancing its fighting efficiency.
• It has been designed to carry one Twin-Engine helicopter & 4 high speed boat.
• It is capable of achieving 26 Knots of top speed & has an endurance of 5, 000 nautical miles.

Recent Related News:

i.On February 19, 2021, Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) C-453 Interceptor Boat was commissioned in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

About Indian Coast Guard (ICG)

Director General – Krishnaswamy Natarajan
Headquarters – New Delhi