On October 27, 2017, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) handed over offshore patrol vessel (OPV) ‘Vikram’ to Indian Coast Guard. V S R Murthy, Additional Director General, Coast Guard, launched OPV ‘VIkram’ at a function at Kattupalli shipyard (in Tamil Nadu), in presence of J D Patil, Larsen and Toubro Board Member and Whole Time Director (Defence Business) and B Kannan, Larsen and Toubro Ship Building Managing Director.
Background Information:
In March 2017, Union Ministry of Defense had awarded Rs 1,432-crore contract to L&T to build seven offshore vessel patrol vessels for the Indian Coast Guard.
- As per the delivery schedule mentioned in the contract, the first vessel was to be handed over in March 2018.
- By handing over the first ship, much ahead of the delivery schedule, L&T has demonstrated its capability to execute complex defence projects.
- L&T management has stated that the entire design and construction processes have undergone dual certification from Indian Registrar of Shipping as well as from American Bureau of Shipping.
Specifications of OPV ‘Vikram’:
Indigenously designed OPV ‘Vikram is the first-ever defence craft to be built in a private shipyard.
- OPV ‘Vikram’ is 97 metres long, 15 metre wide and has 2140T displacement.
- It has a range of 5000 nautical miles and can reach speed of up to 26 knots.
- Besides being equipped with state-of-the-art radars, navigation and communication systems capable of operating in tropical conditions, it is fitted with one 30 mm automatic gun and two 12.7 mm gun with fire control systems.
- In order to enhance its operational, surveillance, search and rescue capabilities, OPV ‘Vikram’ has been provided an integral twin-engine helicopter.
- OPV ‘Vikram’ would be inducted into service by April 2018 after completion of extensive trials of equipment and machineries.
- Post commissioning, it would be deployed for day and night surveillance patrol, search and rescue operations and in pollution response operations.
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