Indian Coast Guard Commissions Indigenous ICGS Ajit

The Indian Coast Guard commissioned the indigenous Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) ICGS Ajit at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) on 9 October 2026. Dr Sirish Choudhary, Principal Integrated Financial Advisor (Coast Guard), presided over the ceremony. GSL handed over the vessel to the Coast Guard on 25 August 2026.

Vessel specifications and propulsion

ICGS Ajit is 51.43 metres long and has a displacement of 330 tonnes. More than 65% of its content is indigenous. Twin marine diesel engines power the vessel through controllable pitch propellers, a first-of-its-kind feature for this class of FPV in India. It can exceed 27 knots and has an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles. One knot equals one nautical mile per hour. The vessel will be operated by six officers and 35 sailors. A Fast Patrol Vessel is a coast guard craft designed for patrol and other maritime operational duties.

Deployment and operational roles

ICGS Ajit will be based at Okha in Gujarat. Its assigned roles include maritime surveillance, search and rescue, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations, fisheries protection, and response to marine pollution. The vessel will operate along Gujarat’s coastline and in adjoining offshore areas, including the Arabian Sea.

Indian Coast Guard and maritime duties

The Indian Coast Guard was established on 1 February 1977 and operates under the Ministry of Defence. Its statutory framework is the Coast Guard Act, 1978. Under the Act, its functions include protecting offshore installations, assisting fishermen, preventing and controlling marine pollution, and supporting customs authorities in anti-smuggling operations. Goa Shipyard Limited is a shipbuilding company based in Goa. The commissioning of ICGS Ajit adds an indigenous patrol vessel to the Indian Coast Guard fleet.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Coast Guard Act was enacted in 1978.
• The Indian Coast Guard was established on 1 February 1977.
• ICGS Ajit has a stated maximum speed of more than 27 knots.
• GSL handed over ICGS Ajit on 25 August 2026, before its commissioning on 9 October 2026.

A nautical mile is a unit of distance used in maritime and aviation navigation and is equal to 1,852 metres.