A multi-mission organisation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducts round-the-year real-life sea operations. To conduct these operations in the territorial waters of India, ICG encompasses ships. These Indian Coast Guard Ships (ICGS) help the ICG unit to perform.
As an IAS Exam aspirant, you should know about the ICG and ICGS. This article will provide you with relevant facts about these and you can also download the notes for future reference.
Latest Context on Indian Coast Guardship –
Indian Coast Guard ship ’Vajra’ commissioned formally into service on March 24th 2021. It is the 6th offshore patrol vessel to enhance coastal security.
Key points on ‘VAJRA ‘ ICGS offshore Patrol Vessel-
- Vajra has been indigenously designed and built by Larsen and Turbo
- ICGS Vajra is the sixth in the series of seven Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs).
- It is a 98-meter ship designed to carry one twin-engine helicopter and four high-speed boats.
- It has a 30-mm gun as main armament and fitted with two 12.7-mm SRCG (Stabilised Remote Controlled Gun) for enhanced fighting efficiency.
- It can be used in Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement, and Maritime Patrol.
- It is also capable of carrying Pollution Response Equipment for oil spill response at Sea.
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What is the Indian Coast Guard?
Unlike the Indian navy which is responsible for securing the freedom of India on waters through maintaining, training, and equipping combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression, and maintaining freedom of the seas; the Indian Coast Guard is into law enforcement, search and rescue in the sea.
- It was established on 18 August 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978. It performs non-military functions.
- Motto: वयम रक्षामः” (Vayam Rakshamah), which translates from Sanskrit as “We Protect”
- It operates under the Ministry of Defence.
- The headquarter of the Indian Coast Guard is in New Delhi
- It has jurisdiction over the territorial waters of India including contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone.
- It is responsible for marine environment protection in maritime zones of India and is a coordinating authority for response to oil spills in Indian waters.
Indian Coast Guard Ships
Indian Coast Guard Ships are the Vessels bearing the prefix “ICGS”. Check the list of ICGS below:
| Categories of Indian Coast Guard Ships (ICGS) |
| ICGS Pollution Control Vessel |
| ICGS Offshore Patrol Vessels |
| ICGS Fast Patrol Vessels |
| ICGS Patrol Boats |
| ICGS Patrol Crafts |
| ICGS Hover Crafts |
List of ICGS Pollution Control Vessel Class
| Class | Commissioned |
| ICGS Samudra | 2010 – present |
List of ICGS Offshore Patrol Vessels
| Class | Commissioned |
| ICGS Vajra | 2021 |
| ICGS Vikram | 2018 – present |
| ICGS Samarth | 2015 – present |
| ICGS Vishwast | 2010 – present |
| ICGS Sankalp | 2008 – present |
| ICGS Samar | 1996 – present |
List of ICGS Fast Patrol Vessels
| Class | Commissioned |
| Aadesh | 2013 – present |
| Rajshree | 2012- present |
| Rani Abbaka | 2009- present |
| Sarojini Naidu | 2002- present |
| Priyadarshini | 1992- present |
List of ICGS Patrol Boats
| Class | Commissioned |
| ICGS Bharati | 2013 – present |
| ICGS L&T | 2012 – present |
| ICGS ABJ | 2000 – present |
| ICGS AMP | 1993 – present |
| ICGS Swallow Craft | 1980 – present |
List of ICGS Patrol Crafts
| Class | Commissioned |
| Timblo | 2010 – present |
| Bristol | 2004 – present |
| Vadyar | 1988 – present |
| Mandovi Marine | 1980 – present |
List of ICGS Hover Crafts
| Class | Commissioned |
| Griffon Class | 2000 – present |
Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System (IUHDSS)
- The defence system at a naval harbour in Kochi has a state-of-the-art automated system capable of tracking, identifying, detecting, and generating warnings for surface and underwater threats.
- It will enable operators to foresee, and respond to, surface and sub-surface threats to vital assets along the harbour and warships in the quay.
- The system comprises a cluster of coastal surveillance radars, high-power underwater sensors, and diver detection sonars.
- Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) ELTA was involved in designing IUHDSS.
- The IUHDSS, along with the specialised Sagar Prahari Bal, would help in augmenting security of the coast around the naval installations in Kochi.
- It will relay images to the multi-agency Joint Operations Centre (JOC).
Refer to the UPSC FAQ page and get answers to all your queries regarding the upcoming civil services examination.
Frequently Asked Questions on Indian Coast Guard Ships
Q 1. How is the Indian Navy different from the Indian Coast Guard?
Q 2. What is ICGS Vajra?
Ans. The Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Vajra is the sixth vessel in the series of seven OPVs being built under a Ministry of Defence contract signed in 2015. It was commissioned to the Indian Coast Guard in 2021.
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