In a significant development aimed at bolstering the maritime security of the nation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICR) has commissioned ICGS ‘Saksham’, the fifth Coast Guard Ship in the series of 105 M-Class offshore patrol vessels.
Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Saksham is the 5th and last Offshore Patrol Vessel designed and developed by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for Coast Guard. The state-of-art offshore patrol vessel uses totally indigenous steering gear and gearbox, which was earlier being imported.
ICGS Saksham was launched in December 2020 as a part of the indigenous project launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2016.
Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar commissioned the offshore patrol vessel in a ceremony organised in Goa under the presence of ICG Director-General, VS Pathania.
Deciphering the made-in-India CGOPV project
The fifth and final vessel of the 5 Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vehicle (CGOPV) ‘Saksham’ was delivered by India’s Goa Shipyard Ltd ahead of contractual schedule. The point to be underlined is that all 5 vessels were delivered before time to the Indian Coast Guard.
The Keel of the first Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel of the new 5 CGOPVs Project for the Indian Coast Guard was ceremoniously laid at Goa Shipyard Ltd in 2017.
It is noteworthy that the indigenisation content in all 5 CGOPV projects was increased to 70% from earlier 60%, this landmark achievement came during the COVID-19 supply chain constraints.
To be more specific, here are some of the details of the major equipment/items for the 5 CGOPV projects which were indigenized & orders with Indian firms were placed.
The Gearbox part was indigenously built by Walchandnagar Industries Limited (WIL), Pune. Steering Gear System was indigenously built by GeetaEngg Works Pvt Ltd, Mumbai. Fin Stabilizer System was indigenously built by GSL (in collaboration with Naiad Dynamics UK) and Steel Plates were indigenously built by Essar Steel, Gujarat. Similarly, Doors (water & weather light) were indigenously built by two local vendors – ACGIL & ZuariEngg Goa. Gemini Boats were indigenously built by Aquarius Shipyard, Goa.
The contract for 5 CGOPVs was signed by GSL with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 26th August 2016 and commencement of production was formally started within 3 months with formal steel cutting on 13th November 2016, at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Based on the in-house design of Goa Shipyard, the Indian Coast Guard vessels will be equipped with modern and advanced machinery and computerised controls systems. Entirely designed in-house by the professionals of GSL, these OPVs will form a formidable part of the Coast Guard Fleet and be used for the protection of Exclusive Economic Zone of territorial waters of the nation.
Further, all the five CGOPVs will be the most advanced patrol vessels in service with the coast guard. Also, the 2,400t vessels are fitted with additional features including quick response boats for rescue and anti-piracy, and gunnery simulators.
The hull is designed to provide fuel efficiency, crew comfort and enhanced sea keeping qualities.
Goa Shipyard Limited’s magnum opus
Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) is an Indian Government-owned shipbuilding company. It is the first DPSU Shipyard to formulate and adopt a Make-in-India Policy (Outsourcing, Long Term Procurement & Vendor Development and indigenisation) with the aim to bolster indigenisation level from existing 60% to 70% of the material value in forthcoming Projects.
It is the first DPSU to adopt the ‘Purchase Preference Policy’ in October 2015 to provide preference to local Indian Manufacturers, over Foreign Manufacturers to encourage indigenisation.
Additionally, GSL has identified and earmarked 37 core Shipbuilding items for indigenisation; 9 items are developed locally under the “Make in India” program.
Notably, a ‘Make-in-India’ cell is also established in the GSL. GSL has also adopted a ‘Start-up Policy’ with a view of encouraging Startups by relaxing norms.
