New Delhi: In a significant boost to India’s maritime security and indigenous defence manufacturing, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launched two advanced Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs), ICGS Ajit and ICGS Aparajit, at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) on Friday. These vessels are the seventh and eighth in a series of eight indigenously built FPVs commissioned by the Coast Guard.
Designed and constructed entirely by GSL, the vessels demonstrate India’s growing self-reliance in shipbuilding. Each FPV measures 52 metres in length, displaces 320 tonnes, and is equipped with Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP) – a first in this class in India – providing enhanced manoeuvrability and propulsion efficiency.
Multi-Mission Capabilities for Coastal and Island Security
The new FPVs are capable of multi-mission roles, including –
- Fisheries protection
- Coastal patrols
- Anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations
- Search and rescue missions
These capabilities are especially crucial for India’s island territories and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), ensuring maritime security across the country’s extensive coastline.
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Launch Ceremony Highlights
The vessels were launched by Manju Sharma, in the presence of Dr. Mayank Sharma, Financial Advisor (Defence Services), who served as the Chief Guest. Also in attendance were Inspector General Bhisham Sharma, Commander of ICG Region (West), along with senior officials from the Indian Coast Guard and Goa Shipyard Limited.
Dr. Sharma commended the project for its contribution to domestic industry, employment generation, and the MSME ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of such initiatives in strengthening India’s self-reliance in maritime capabilities.
Boost to Indigenous Shipbuilding and Operational Readiness
With the induction of ICGS Ajit and ICGS Aparajit, the Indian Coast Guard continues to expand its fleet of modern, high-speed vessels, enhancing operational readiness and maritime safety. The successful launch also underscores Goa Shipyard Limited’s leadership in building next-generation, indigenous defence vessels for India.
Advancing India’s maritime security, the indigenously designed & built Fast Patrol Vessels ICGS Ajit (Yard 1277) & ICGS Aparajit (Yard 1278) — the last two ships in the series of eight FPVs — were launched on 24 Oct 2025 at Goa Shipyard Ltd., Vasco da Gama by Smt. Manju Sharma in… pic.twitter.com/ymNKLL846A
— Goa Shipyard Ltd (@goashipyardltd) October 24, 2025
