Goa Shipyard Limited formally handed over ICGS Ajit, a new Fast Patrol Vessel, to the Indian Coast Guard on August 25, adding an indigenously built platform designed for coastal patrol, surveillance, fisheries protection and maritime law-enforcement duties.
The vessel, identified during construction as Yard 1277, contains more than 65 per cent indigenous content. Its delivery represents another addition to the Coast Guard’s expanding fleet and supports the wider effort to increase domestic participation in the design, construction and maintenance of specialised maritime platforms.
ICGS Ajit is 51.43 metres long and eight metres wide. The ship has a displacement of 330 tonnes at a draught of 2.5 metres. It is powered by two marine diesel engines connected to controllable-pitch propellers, a configuration described as a first for this class of Fast Patrol Vessels.
Controllable-pitch propellers allow blade pitch to be adjusted according to operational requirements, supporting efficient propulsion and manoeuvring across different speeds and sea conditions. The vessel is also fitted with an integrated machinery control system intended to improve monitoring, operational readiness and efficient management of onboard systems.
The patrol vessel can attain a speed exceeding 27 knots and has an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles. This combination of speed and range is important for missions requiring a rapid response followed by sustained presence in coastal and offshore waters.
The ship will be operated by six officers and 35 sailors. Its assigned roles include surveillance of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, coastal patrolling, protection of fisheries, action against smuggling and piracy, and search-and-rescue operations. These responsibilities place Fast Patrol Vessels at the centre of the Coast Guard’s daily operational presence.
India’s long coastline and extensive offshore economic interests require platforms capable of monitoring wide areas while responding quickly to distress calls and unlawful activity. A vessel of this class can be deployed for routine patrols as well as time-sensitive missions involving vessels, fishing communities and coastal security agencies.
The handover ceremony was attended by senior officials from Goa Shipyard and the Indian Coast Guard, including Goa Shipyard Chairman and Managing Director Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay and the designated commanding officer of ICGS Ajit, Commandant Junior Grade Manish Talan.
The delivery also demonstrates the role of defence public-sector shipyards in increasing indigenous content and supporting domestic supply chains. Local construction enables Indian yards and component manufacturers to retain technical knowledge while providing through-life maintenance support closer to the vessel’s operating bases.
Fast Patrol Vessels also support coordination with coastal police, fisheries authorities and other maritime agencies when incidents require a combined response. Their regular presence helps extend surveillance beyond major ports and reinforces enforcement across economically important waters.
ICGS Ajit will now move from the construction and acceptance phase towards operational deployment. Once integrated into the Coast Guard fleet, the vessel is expected to strengthen surveillance and response capacity in India’s coastal and offshore areas.
