Indian Coast Guard commissions final Vikram-class OPV

The Indian Coast Guard has commissioned its seventh and final Vikram-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV), ICGS Vigraha.

The commissioning ceremony took place on 28 August 2021.

The 98-meter OPV, which was built by Larsen & Toubro Ship Building Limited, will be fitted with advanced technology radars, navigation and communication equipment, sensors and machinery capable of operating in tropical sea conditions.

The vessel is armed with a 40/60 Bofors gun and equipped with two 12.7 mm stabilised remote control gun with fire control system.

Furthermore, the unit features an integrated bridge system, integrated platform management system, automated power management system and high-power external fire-fighting system.

According to the Indian Coast Guard, it displaces around 2200 tons (GRT) and is propelled by two 9100 KW diesel engines to attain a maximum speed of 26 knots with endurance of 5000 nautical miles at economical speed.  

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted that for the first time in the history of Indian defense, contracts for not one or two, but seven vessels have been signed with a private sector company.

“And more importantly, within seven years of signing this agreement in 2015, not only launch but also the commissioning of all these seven vessels has been completed today,” he concluded.

ICGS Vigraha will be based at Visakhapatnam and operate on India’s Eastern Seaboard under the operational and administrative control of the commander, Coast Guard Region (East). 

In 2018, the Indian Coast Guard commissioned its lead Vikram-class OPV, ICGS Vikram.