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.