On February 27, 2020, the 6^th Coast Guard OPV-6 (Offshore Patrol Vessel-6) called the “VAJRA” was launched in Chennai.

Highlights

The OPV will assist Indian Navy in guarding 7,500 km long coast line and 20 lakh square kilo metre of Exclusive Economic Zone. It will also help to safeguard one lakh merchant ships transiting in the Indian Ocean from all over the world.

The OPV is to be utilized for patrolling, surveying, anti-smuggling and anti-terrorist operations. The OPV has two navigational radars installed.

Indian Coast Guard

Indian Coast Guard is an armed force of India. It protects the maritime interests of India and also enforces maritime law in the territorial waters of India. The Indian Coast Guard operates under Ministry of Defence. There are 5 Indian Coast Guard Regions in India. They are Western Region (Mumbai), Eastern Region (Chennai), North-East Region (Kolkata), Andaman and Nicobar Region (Port Blair) and North-West Regions (Gandhinagar).