Larsen & Toubro (L&T) -built offshore patrol vessel ICGS Vajra was commissioned into the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on 24 March 2021.
ICGS Vajra is the sixth vessel in the series of seven OPVs being built by L&T under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) contract signed in 2015.
Like the five OPVs in the series, ICGS Vajra was also delivered ahead of contractual schedule. The seventh OPV ICGS Vigraha was launched in October 2020 and is being readied for sea trials.
L&T took special efforts after the early lockdowns to mobilise the workforce and logistics and accelerate shipbuilding activities, ensuring that the personnel are protected from COVID-19.
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.
ICGS Vajra is approximately 98 mtr long, 15 mtr wide, has 3.6 mtr draught, with 2,140 T displacement and a range of 5,000 NM. It can attain a sustained speed of up to 26 knots.
The entire design and construction process has been certified by the American Bureau of Shipping as well as the Indian Registrar of Shipping and overseen by the Indian Coast Guard's resident team at Kattupalli.
The company has also established modern infrastructure and processes at Kattupalli shipyard to provide efficient lifecycle support for defence ships.
The yard has successfully repaired/refitted and upgraded 18 Indian Navy and Coast Guard vessels including fleet tankers, survey vessel, offshore patrol vessels, floating dock, fast attack craft, etc ensuring their quick redeployment into service.