New Hovercraft join Indian Coast Guard

[MINK]

Stating that the Centre was paying special attention to build the capacity and capability of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to tackle emerging maritime challenges, Director General of ICG Vice-Admiral M.P. Muralidharan has said the force was poised to grow to more than 150 vessels and 100 aircraft by 2018.

Addressing after commissioning the Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) Hovercraft 190 — the fourth of the series of 12 ACVs designed and built by UK-based Griffon Hoverwork Ltd — at Mandapam Coast Guard station on Tuesday, he said the process of strengthening the ICG to meet the challenges had received undivided attention of the Union Government.

“Our nation’s growing maritime interest, apart from traditional aspects of trade and fisheries, has grown to include offshore assets, other than sea-based resources that need to be protected and preserved in furthering the national goals,” he said.

The ICG which made a humble beginning in 1977 with two ships and five boats, now has 80 vessels and 56 aircraft. “The force is poised to grow to over 150 vessels and 100 aircraft by 2018,” he said. In the last two or three years, the ICG had established 17 new stations and set to have 42 stations in a few months’ time, he added.

The ICG had added a regional headquarters in Kolkata and it was now looked after by five regions, he said.

While enhancing surveillance and ensuring effective maritime domain awareness, the ICG has established the Coastal Service Network in the mainland and work on the island territories is to be completed. “The aim of setting up the network is to create real-time surveillance system which can be monitored even from remote locations,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Inspector General S.P.Sharma, Commander, Coast Guard Region (East), said the eastern region was responsible for maintaining surveillance along 2714 km of coastline and 4.45 lakh sq km of exclusive economic zone.

Pointing out that the responsibilities of the Coast Guard have increased manifold in the recent times, due to the dynamic maritime security matrix, he exhorted the new craft’s crew to make full use of the machinery and equipment on board to deliver the best results.

District Collector K.Nanthakumar and Mandapam station commandant H.Harish More were present.

New Hovercraft join Indian Coast Guard - The Hindu

 

[Ayush]

good news.

 

[Mirza Jatt]

nice..

 

[axisofevil]

So we don;t have the capability? I thought we did? It seems we are buying from UK based Griffon.....

 

[Pandora]

Why india is not building it locally. India is building aircraft carriers so hovercraft should be piece of cake.

 

[GR!FF!N]

this article has specs about hovercraft India bought....



Indian Coast Guard Orders Six Griffon Hovercraft

The Indian Coast Guard has purchased six Griffon 8000TD(M) hovercraft from Griffon Hovercraft Limited (‘GHL’) of Southampton England. These craft will be used for anti-smuggling and anti-infiltration, particularly in areas of very shallow water around India’s extensive coastline and offshore islands.

The Griffon 8000TD(M) has a top speed of 50 knots and a payload of 8 tonnes. Armed with a half-inch machine gun, these craft will be capable of operating in areas difficult, if not impossible, to conventional boats and will therefore significantly enhance the Indian Coast Guard’s (‘ICG’s’) operational capabilities. Operated by a crew of two (plus eight seamen) these craft will be able to lie up, perhaps hidden under trees on a beach, and dash out to intercept over land, very shallow water, sand, rocks and mud, taking the quickest straight line to intercept. Alternatively, they can patrol like conventional craft, using conventional berths, piers and pontoons as and when required.

In a unique arrangement, two of the Griffon 8000TD(M)s will be manufactured at GHL’s new boatyard in Southampton England, and four will be assembled from completely knocked-down kits (CKD’s) by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (‘GRSE’) in Calcutta, India. GRSE and GHL together won a worldwide Tender to supply these craft to the ICG, and GHL will train GRSE and ICG personnel in the operation, servicing and maintenance of these craft both in UK and India. GRSE sees many prospects for Griffon hovercraft in India and believes that local production will pave the way to several more significant sales in the future.

The unique combination of the preferred lightweight alloy hull, the two powerful 597 kW (800 h.p.) water-cooled MTU 12V183TB32 diesel engines, the large 2.6m variable-pitch propellers and the deep 1.25m skirt, gives the Griffon 8000TD(M) the best performance of any hovercraft of this size in the world.

This sale by GHL constitutes the largest order for this size of hovercraft for over 25 years, and reflects the world’s increasing interest in, and use of, amphibious hovercraft. Griffon Hovercraft Limited leads the world in the design, development, manufacture and operation of amphibious hovercraft and produces the largest range of hovercraft available in the world today.


Indian Coast Guard Orders Six Griffon Hovercraft - News - Griffon Hoverwork


by the way,GRSE built few hovercrafts with the help of Griffon Hovercraft Limited

 

[IndianArmy]

So we don;t have the capability? I thought we did? It seems we are buying from UK based Griffon.....

 

[axisofevil]

Awesome. Thanks Bro!

 

[acetophenol]

Why india is not building it locally. India is building aircraft carriers so hovercraft should be piece of cake.

You are comparing apples and cocunuts. India building aircraft carriers doesn't mean it has to build hovercrafts too. Hovercrafts aren't as strategic as an aircraft carrier or a frigate or a distroyer. So Its ok to import them.