India has inducted its first of the Rajshree class of eight Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs) into the Coast Guard.
The vessel, being built by Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, was commissioned into the maritime security force by Indian Coast Guard Director General Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan.
Coast Guard Commander (East) Inspector General SP Sharma was present on the occasion.
"The 50-metre long indigenous IPV displaces 300 tones and can achieve a maximum speed of 34 knots, with an endurance of 1500 nautical miles at economical speed of 16 knots," Coast Guard officials said.
Equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry and advanced communication and navigational equipment, it makes an ideal platform for undertaking multifarious close-coast missions such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue, and medical evacuation, they said.
The special features of the ship include an Integrated Bridge Management System (IBMS), Integrated Machinery Control System (IMCS) and an integrated gun mount with indigenous Fire Control system (FCS).
Rajshree is commanded by Commandant Pankaj Verma and has a complement by five officers and 30 other ranks.
Post commissioning, ICGS Rajshree would be based at Chennai under the administrative and operational control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (East).
In his address during the commissioning, Vice Admiral Muralidharan dwelt upon the importance of capacity-building towards tackling emergent maritime challenges.
He reiterated the need for continuous vigil along the nation’s maritime frontiers to preserve and protect our maritime interests.
He further stated that several far-reaching initiatives towards augmentation of manpower and force levels were underway that would provide the requisite fillip to the Coast Guard’s capabilities.
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