![](https://bharatshakti.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LT-BSI-Defence.gif")
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Friday launched two advanced Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs)- ICGS Ajit and ICGS Aparajit- at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), marking another milestone in the nation’s drive towards maritime self-reliance.
These vessels are the seventh and eighth in a series of eight indigenously built FPVs constructed by GSL, designed to enhance the ICG’s coastal surveillance, interdiction, and response capabilities.
Designed and developed entirely by Goa Shipyard Limited, the 52-metre-long FPVs displace about 320 tonnes and feature Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP) — a first for this class of vessel in India — enabling superior manoeuvrability and propulsion efficiency.
Capable of performing multi-mission roles, the FPVs will undertake fisheries protection, coastal patrol, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations, as well as search and rescue missions around India’s island territories and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
According to the Ministry of Defence, the project underscores the contribution of domestic shipbuilding to employment generation, MSME participation, and indigenous industrial growth, reinforcing India’s commitment to Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in the maritime sector.
With the induction of Ajit and Aparajit, the Coast Guard continues to expand its fleet of modern, high-speed platforms, enhancing operational readiness and maritime safety along India’s 7,500-km coastline. The launch also reaffirms GSL’s position as a leading builder of next-generation indigenous defence vessels for the nation.
Team BharatShakti
