India approves acquisition of hovercraft for coastguard, army

[Zarvan]

One of the 8000TD hovercraft in service with the Indian Coast Guard. Source: Griffon Hoverwork

Key Points

• India has approved plans to acquire hovercraft for the country’s coastguard, army
• Vehicles will improve the respective service’s operational capabilities in shallow waters and riverine environments

New Delhi has approved acquisition requests for ‘air cushion vehicles’ (ACVs) for the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Army.

The approval has been granted by the defence acquisition council (DAC), the country’s Ministry of Defence announced on 7 June. The DAC is chaired by India’s Minister of Defence, Nirmala Sitharaman.

“These vessels would offer great advantage over conventional boats [and] crafts with their ability to travel at very high speeds over shallow water, sand banks, mud flats, and swamps which are non-navigable by [the smaller vessels] due to draught restrictions [and] uncharted depths,” said the defence ministry in a statement.

“These craft offer capability enhancement for the services, and would prove useful for amphibious [and] riverine operations, especially where there is a requirement to move men and materiel from one island to another island, across riverine terrain, creeks et cetera,” it added.

The ministry has, however, not given details on how many vehicles will be acquired for each of the services under the approval, adding only that the vehicles should be acquired from an Indian shipyard.

The Indian Coast Guard currently operates a fleet of 18 Griffon 8000TD hovercraft, which have been built under a technical collaboration between India’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and the United Kingdom’s Griffon Hoverwork. These vehicles were commissioned between 2000 and 2014.

The 21.3 m hovercraft displaces 25 tonnes at full load, and can accommodate a crew of 16 including two officers. The vehicle can attain a top speed of 50 kt on the water, a standard range of 400 n miles at 45 kt, and can operate up to Sea State 4.

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http://www.janes.com/article/80719/india-approves-acquisition-of-hovercraft-for-coastguard-army

 

[SabzShaheen]

Insight into where the Indian army may need to deploy hovercrafts?

 

[Corona]

Insight into where the Indian army may need to deploy hovercrafts?

We've got a huge coastline and multiple island territories. I'm not sure in what capacity these will be used, but they make sense.

 

[SabzShaheen]

We've got a huge coastline and multiple island territories. I'm not sure in what capacity these will be used, but they make sense.

Yes of course. I just have a habit of wondering about the offensive applications of any hardware that a country acquires.

 

[Papa Dragon]

We should arm our coast guard with more missile boats and corvette sized ships to take on the PN as they recently signed a deal for the Type 54A. Our Navy should focus on dealing with the PLAN if a conflict arises

 

[Rajesh Singh]

We should arm our coast guard with more missile boats and corvette sized ships to take on the PN as they recently signed a deal for the Type 54A. Our Navy should focus on dealing with the PLAN if a conflict arises

Agreed, we should arm our coast guard navy at comparable to PN...

Indian navy should focus to deal with China

 

[Tom M]

Yes of course. I just have a habit of wondering about the offensive applications of any hardware that a country acquires.

But I don't think Hovercraft has any offensive or even defensive role in a situation of conflict. It's mainly used for coastal surveillance and light transportation I guess.

 

[enquencher]

Howercrafts have a good prospects in swampy areas of rann of kutch and sir creek....its very good in river crossing over brahmaputra in eventuality of the bridges been destroyed

 

[Papa Dragon]

Agreed, we should arm our coast guard navy at comparable to PN...

Indian navy should focus to deal with China

Our CG can take down PN's current vessels but they're new procurements like the 8 subs and 2 frigates purchase from China need to be dealt with the addition of missile boats and corvette class vessels

 

[Rajesh Singh]

Our CG can take down PN's current vessels but they're new procurements like the 8 subs and 2 frigates purchase from China need to be dealt with the addition of missile boats and corvette class vessels

Yes, we need at least 15-20 missile board with good air defence and 3-4 submarine hunter ships and back by support Indian navy. It will be more than fine to handle PN..

 

[Papa Dragon]

Yes, we need at least 15-20 missile board with good air defence and 3-4 submarine hunter ships and back by support Indian navy. It will be more than fine to handle PN..

Also equip a few fishing trawlers with gattling guns, rocket launchers and 50 cals

 

[seesonic]

Our CG can take down PN's current vessels but they're new procurements like the 8 subs and 2 frigates purchase from China need to be dealt with the addition of missile boats and corvette class vessels

 

[Papa Dragon]

Why did you choose the poor country of Zimbabwe? Most false flaggers hear choose East Asian countries so they don't get mocked during economic and defense acquisition debates

 

[India Pakistan]

We should arm our coast guard with more missile boats and corvette sized ships to take on the PN as they recently signed a deal for the Type 54A.

 

[seesonic]

Why did you choose the poor country of Zimbabwe? Most false flaggers hear choose countries East Asian countries so they don't get mocked during economic and defense acquisition debates

You proud of yourself?

Or you are jealous your parents didnt give you a chance to grow up in a low infant morality region?