New Delhi, April 6 The keel-laying ceremony for an Indian Coast Guard fast patrol vessel (FPV) – the fourth in a series of 14 being built for coastal security, search and rescue, and law enforcement – was held on Monday, officials said.
The ships are being built in accordance with the nation's vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) and are expected to enhance the ICG's presence in the Indian Ocean Region, they said.
"The keel-laying ceremony for FPV-4 (Yard 16504) along with the plate-cutting ceremony for FPV-7 (Yard 16507) of the 14 FPV project (Yard 16501-14) was held at MDL, Mumbai, today," a senior official of the ICG said.
The FPVs are being equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, including an AI-based predictive maintenance system and multipurpose drones.
The ceremony was attended by a senior official of the Coast Guard as the chief guest. Senior officials of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) were also present on the occasion.
The contract for the design and construction of 14 FPVs was finalized with MDL in January 2024.
"The water jet-propelled FPVs, with a displacement of approximately 340T, are designed for coastal security, search and rescue, and law enforcement duties," the senior official said.
The indigenous content of these ships is enhanced by a gearbox built by Triveni, Mysore, and water jets by MJP India, he said. The keel-laying of FPV-4 and the plate-cutting of FPV-7 mark a significant milestone in the overall project timeline, the Coast Guard said.