Indian Coast Guard's first L&T-built OPV is launched
Larsen and Toubro (L&T) has launched the first of seven offshore patrol vessels (OPV) for the Indian Coast Guard, the company announced on 27 October.
L&T is confident that the vessel named Vikram will be handed over to the Indian Coast Guard ahead of the March 2018 delivery schedule after undergoing the process of fitting out and sea trials.
L&T was awarded a $220.58 million contract by the Indian Ministry of Defence in March 2015 to design and build the seven OPVs.
The OPVs are long-range surface ships, capable of operations in the maritime zones of India, including its far island territories, and they also have helicopter operation capabilities. They will be deployed for coastal and offshore patrol, policing maritime zones, control and surveillance, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy with limited wartime roles.
Measuring 97m long, 15m wide, with a 3.6m draught and 2,140t displacement with a range of 5,000nm, the OPVs can attain sustained speeds of up to 26kt. The entire design and construction processes have undergone dual certification from the American Bureau of Shipping and Indian Registrar of Shipping.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear]()
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
![US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes]()
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
-
![Australia commissions HMAS Arafura three-and-a-half years behind schedule]()
Australia commissions HMAS Arafura three-and-a-half years behind schedule
The Royal Australian Navy has finally commissioned the first Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel – more than three years behind schedule – highlighting the programme’s delays, design compromises and ongoing industrial restructuring.
-
![Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates]()
Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates
The Italian Navy is being refreshed with two new ships ordered, while in the past six months steel was cut for a new frigate, an enhanced frigate was delivered and Horizon-class frigates passed a design review.
