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The Indian Coast Guard’s fleet received a significant boost on Monday with the launch of ‘Achal’, the fifth in a series of eight Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) being built by Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) under a Rs 473 crore contract.
The vessel was launched at the GSL facility in Goa in the presence of Additional Director General Anil Kumar Harbola, Coast Guard Commander (Western Seaboard). The event was attended by top officials from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and GSL, including GSL Chairman and Managing Director Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay.
Measuring 52 meters in length and 8 meters in breadth, the 320-tonne FPV is designed for a variety of critical maritime roles, including surveillance, interdiction, and protection of offshore assets and island territories. Capable of achieving a top speed of 27 knots, ‘Achal’ features a CPP-based propulsion system and is built under dual-class certification from the American Bureau of Shipping and the Indian Register of Shipping.
Notably, the vessel incorporates over 60% indigenous content, reflecting the growing emphasis on Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in India’s defence manufacturing sector. GSL officials highlighted that the project has provided a boost to the domestic defence industry by generating employment and supporting MSMEs across multiple supply chains.
The launch of ‘Achal’ marks another milestone in the enduring collaboration between GSL and the Indian Coast Guard, with the remaining three vessels in the series expected to be delivered in due course.
Team BharatShakti
