‘Vigraha,’ built by a private company has state-of-the-art equipment
India News Network and Staff Reporter
New Delhi, August 29, 2021
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched ‘Vigraha’ an indigenously built Coast Guard Ship in Chennai on Saturday, August 28, 2021 and dedicated it to the Nation.
Fitted with advanced technology Radar, Navigation and Communication Equipment, Sensor and Machinery, the 98 meters Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) has been designed and built by Larsen & Toubro Ship Building. It is capable of operating in tropical sea conditions.
About Vigraha
The Ship, commanded by Commandant PN Anoop with a complement of 11 Officers and 110 men, is also equipped with Integrated Bridge System (IBS), Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), Automated Power Management System (APMS) and High-Power External Firefighting (EFF) System.
‘Vigraha’ has been designed to carry one twin-engine helicopter and four high-speed boats for Boarding Operation, Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement and Maritime Patrol.
Displacing about 2200 tons (GRT) and propelled by two 9100 KW diesel engines to attain a maximum speed of 26 knots with an endurance of 5000 nautical miles at an economical speed, it is capable of carrying limited pollution response equipment to contain oil spills at sea.
On joining the Coast Guard Eastern fleet, ‘Vigraha’ will be deployed extensively for EEZ surveillance and other duties as enshrined in the Coast Guard Charter, to safeguard the maritime interests of India.
‘Vigraha’ will take the complement of the Indian Coast Guard to 157 ships and 66 aircraft.
Step toward Atma Nirbhar Bharat
Describing it as an important step towards ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ (Achieving Self-Sufficiency) Mr Singh said that the newly commissioned vessel was for the first time contracted to a private company and that six more vessels are under development in this sector.
Praising the Indian Coast Guard for its policy and spirit of inclusiveness, he said that help is extended to neighbouring countries in improving their territorial security.
He said that the expenditure on security will be more than US$ 2 trillion in the next two years.
“Most countries do not even have this level of budget for a whole year and it is expected to increase manifold in the next five years. In such a situation, today we have great scope to make full use of our capabilities, take advantage of policies, and move towards making the country an indigenous shipbuilding hub. I am happy to say that considering these possibilities, the government has already brought out such policies which helps our domestic industry, be it public or private sector entity, to become world-class players,” he said.
Protecting neighbours
Speaking about the indigenous aspect of ‘Vigraha,’ Mr Singh said, “Ram is Ram because He is bound by His Dharma (Duty)…. it is my firm belief that this ‘Vigraha’ of ours, completely free from the shackles of any kind of challenges and having specific bonds of service and duties to the Nation, will become a successful watchdog of the coastal borders of our country.”
He hailed the role of the Coast Guard in providing proactive help in saving Very large crude carrier MT ‘New Diamond’ last year, and the cargo ship MV ‘X-Press Pearl.’
Mr Singh lauded the efforts of the Indian Coast Guard in realising the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which is spelt in terms of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) focusing on friendship, openness, dialogue and co-existence with the neighbours.
‘Vigraha’ will be based at Visakhapatnam and operate on India’s Eastern Seaboard under the Operational and Administrative Control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (East).
The above has been published under a special agreement with India News Network, New Delhi, with modifications and additional writing by our Staff Reporter.
