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Tag: Vajra

  • INC patrol vessel Vajra commissioned

    By Express News Service
    CHENNAI: Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Vajra’, the sixth in the series of seven Offshore Patrol Vessels constructed by Larsen & Toubro, was commissioned in Chennai by General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff on Wednesday.

    The 98-metre OPV is fitted with state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment, sensors and machinery. The ship will be equipped with 30mm and 12.7mm guns with fire control system for enhancing its fighting efficiency. The ship draws approx 2,100 tons (GRT) and is propelled by twin MTU 8000 series engines of 9,100 KW each, capable of achieving 26 knots  top speed and endurance of 5,000 nm at economical speed.

    Commanded by Deputy Inspector General Alex Thomas, the vessel will be based in Tuticorin under the operational and administrative control of the Commander, No 16 Coast Guard District. The ship is designed to carry one twin engine helicopter (ALH MK-III under acceptance by ICG from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) and four high speed boats including two rigid hull inflatable boats for swift boarding operations, search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol.

    The ship is also capable of carrying pollution response equipment for oil spill response at sea. The sustenance and reach, coupled with latest modern equipment, provides her the capability to perform the role of a Command Platform to accomplish the ICG Charter of Duties. 

    DG Krishnaswamy Natarajan, Director General, ICG, Inspector General S Paramesh, Commander, Coast Guard Region (east), JD Patil, director, L&T and other senior dignitaries of the Central and State government were present on the occasion, a release stated. Meanwhile, L&T said ICGS Vajra was delivered ahead of contractual schedule.

    The seventh OPV ICGS Vigraha was launched in October 2020 and is being readied for sea trials.  OPVs are long-range surface ships, capable of operation in maritime zones of India, including island territories with helicopter operation capabilities. Their roles include coastal and offshore patrolling, policing maritime zones of India, control and surveillance, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations with limited wartime roles.

  • Indian Coast Guard ship ‘Vajra’ commissioned; to enhance coastal security

    By PTI
    CHENNAI: Indian Coast Guard ship ‘Vajra’, the sixth offshore patrol vessel to enhance coastal security, was formally commissioned into service here on Wednesday.

    At an event to mark the commissioning of the ship, Chief of Defence staff General Bipin Rawat formally unveiled a ‘plaque’ and the ship’s name board ‘Vajra’ meaning ‘Thunderbolt’ at the Chennai Port Trust.

    The ship was indigenously designed and built by Larsen and Toubro Ship building Ltd.

    Sixth in the series of seven offshore patrol vessels, Vajra is fitted with highly sophisticated navigation and communication systems.

    The ship has a 30mm gun as main armament and equipped with 2 FCS controlled 12. 7 mm SRCG (Stabilised Remote Controlled Gun) for enhanced fighting efficiency.

    Some of the hi-tech features of the vessel include — an integrated bridge system, high power external fighting System, bow thruster and automated power management system.

    The ship is designed to carry one twin engine helicopter with night flying capabilities and also four high speed boats, two rigid hull inflatable boats for taking up search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrolling.

    A pollution response equipment to contain oil spills at sea is fitted in the ship, which is propelled by twin MTU 8000 series engines, capable of achieving 26 knots of top speed and endurance of 5,000 nautical miles.

    Deputy inspector general Alex Thomas is the commanding officer of the ship, which would have 14 officers and 88 men.

    The ship would be based at Tuticorin under the operational control of coast guard eastern region.

    In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commissioning ceremony was conducted in full adherence to the standard operating procedures laid out by the government.