India’s First Private Company Manufactured Defense Ship Arrives at Base Port

The first in class of seven new generation offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), ICGS Vikram arrived at the new Mangalore Port.

ICGS, manufactured by Larsen and Toubro, is the first defense ship contracted by the Indian Ministry of defence (MoD) under the ‘Make in India’ imitative in March 2015.

The 3.6 meter draught ship is designed to carry one twin-engine light helicopter and stage two twin engine heavy helicopters with night flying capabilities, Times of India reported Sunday.

The ship has a displacement of 2,140 tonnes displacement and a range of 5,000 nautical miles. It can attain a sustained speed of up to 26 knots. It is also capable of carrying pollution response equipment to contain oil spills on the seas and can stay afloat for 20 days without replenishment. It is fitted with navigation and communication equipment, sensors and machineries. It features a 30mm gun and 12.7mm gun with fire control system.

The ship was commissioned by the Indian Coast Guard in a ceremony at L&T’s Defence shipyard at Kattupalli, near Chennai, in April this year. The ship was built, tested and delivered in 25 months, Naval Today had reported in April quoting Larsen and Toubro. OPV-2 has been launched and is being readied for harbor and sea trials.