“ICGS Varad” commissioned as Indian Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Vessel
The Indian Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Vessel “ICGS Varad” has been commissioned by the Union Minister of State for Shipping (I/C) & Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri Mansukh Mandaviya. The minister also accorded the ‘Guard of honour’ parade as part of commissioning ceremony of ICGS Varad which was held in Chennai.
About ICGS Varad:
The 98 metre long and 15 metre wide ICGS Varad is having a gross tonnage of 2100 tons. It has a maximum speed of 26 Knots along with endurance of 5000 nautical miles. The ICGS Varad will enable the fleet of ships of the Indian Coast Guard and will contribute in the monitoring and constant vigil for coastal security of Indian maritime borders. ICGS Varad has been built indigenously by Larsen & Toubro while keeping in mind the Government of India’s vision of Make in India.
Rajnath Singh inaugurates new Helicopter Production Hangar at HAL
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the new Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Production Hangar at Helicopter Division in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Complex at Bengaluru, Karnataka.
LCH is a 5.5-tonne class combat helicopter designed and developed by HAL. It is powered by two Shakti engines and inherits many technical features of the Advanced Light Helicopter. LCH has the distinction of being the first attack helicopter to land in forwarding Bases at Siachen, 4,700 mts above sea level with 500kg load.
India has made significant progress towards manufacturing military equipment indigenously under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The defence industry plays a major role in the economic development of the country. Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) that has helped India leapfrog six places to become the fifth-largest economy in the world.
6th Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel “VAJRA” launched
The 6th Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) “VAJRA” has been launched in Chennai. The Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Vessel is expected to strengthen the efforts Indian Coast Guard in securing the vast coastline of over 7500 km, including an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of over 20 lakh sq kms.
OPV “VAJRA” is the 6th vessel in the series of seven OPV projects. The Offshore Patrol Vessel has been built by M/s L&T Shipbuilding under the ‘Make in India’ policy. OPV Vajra is a state of the art platform which will increase the capabilities of Indian Coast Guard in terms of Operation, Surveillance, Search & Rescue. The OPV is empowered with two Navigation Radars along with ultra-modern technology, Sophisticated navigational and latest communication systems. The OPV will help the Indian Coast Guard in executing day and night patrol/surveillance along with anti-terrorist/ anti-smuggling operations in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as well as Coastal Security.
