Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) has delivered ICGS Kanaklata Barua, the fifth and final ship in the series of Fast Patrol Vessels (FPV) for the Indian Coast Guard. This is the 105th vessel delivered by the Miniratna Category 1 Defence PSU shipyard. The handover was done at GRSE’s Fitting Out Unit in Kolkata. The Protocol of Delivery and Acceptance was signed between Rear Admiral VK Saxena, IN (Retd), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE and Commanding Officer of the vessel, Comdt (JG) Subhash Kapoor, in the presence of DIG RH Nandodkar TM, S S Dogra, Director (Finance), Cmde S Nayyar, Director (Shipbuilding), Cmde. P R Hari, Director (Personnel) and other Senior Officials of GRSE and Indian Coast Guard.
Yard 2116, the Fourth ship in the series of FPVs is earmarked for export delivery to the Seychelles Coast Guard and is likely to be delivered shortly after completing the related formalities. As per the related developments as on date, GRSE will make another ship as a replacement to the one diverted to the Seychelles Coast Guard. Related formalities of signing contract with the amendments to the existing contract are underway and will be completed shortly.
The Fast Patrol Vessels have been entirely designed by GRSE’s Central Design Office. With an efficient hull form developed in-house and proved through extensive model testing, these ships are designed to achieve speeds exceeding 34 knots with an endurance of more than 1,500 nautical miles. These fuel-efficient and powerful platforms are well suited for operations like patrolling, anti-smuggling, anti-poaching and rescue. They are fitted with state-of-the-art Main Engines with advanced control systems & Water jet units and an ‘Integrated Bridge System’ integrating all Communication and Navigation Systems. These ships are also fitted with 40/60 Gun as Main Armament and have improved habitability features with fully air-conditioned modular accommodation for 35 personnel. GRSE had earlier made deliveries of FPVs ICGS Priyadarshini, ICGS Annie Besant and ICGS Amrit Kaur in this series.
Originally built at the Shipyard’s Rajabagan Unit, to meet it’s commitment to the Indian Coast Guard, GRSE has shifted the vessel’s location so that final work on the ship prior to delivery including balance fitting out, readiness of ship systems and setting to work of equipment/ systems could be completed by undertaking work at the FOJ Unit in compliance with MHA and WB Government Guidelines.
