Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Saksham is a 105-meter long Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) class naval ship. It has been designed and built indigenously by Goa Shipyard Limited and is fitted with advanced technology, navigation and communication equipment, sensors, and machinery.
It was commissioned at Goa on March 16, 2022, by Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar in the presence of Director General Coast Guard VS Pathania and other senior dignitaries of the Union and State governments.
ICGS Saksham Features
The ship displaces approximately 2,350 tons (gross registered tonnage) and is propelled by two 9,100 KW diesel engines to attain a maximum speed of 26 knots. She has an endurance of 6,000-nautical miles at economical speed.
The ICGS Saksham is designed to carry a twin-engine helicopter and four high-speed boats including two inflatable boats for boarding operation, search & rescue, law enforcement, and maritime patrol. The ship is also capable of carrying limited pollution response equipment to contain oil spills in the seas.
The vessel will be also fitted with a 30-mm 2A42 Medak gun and two 12.7-mm Stabilised Remote Controlled Gun (SRCGs) with FCS. The ship has been equipped with an Integrated Bridge System (IBS), Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), Power Management System (PMS), and High Power External fire-fighting (EFF) system.
The sustenance and reach, coupled with the latest and modern equipment and system, provide her the capability to perform the role of a command platform and undertake tasks to fulfill the Coast Guard charter.
The ship, on joining the Coast Guard fleet, will be based at Kochi. She will be deployed extensively for Exclusive Economic Zones surveillance and other duties as enshrined in the Coast Guard charter.
Presently, the ICG has an expanding fleet of ships and aircraft. Further, numerous ships are at various stages of construction at different Indian shipyards, and Advanced Light Helicopters are under production at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bengaluru which will provide the added strength to the surveillance capabilities of ICG to deal with the ever-dynamic maritime challenges.
The commissioning of ICGS Saksham has enhanced the Indian Coast Guard’s operational capability to discharge the multifarious maritime tasks. The induction of this Vessel will give a fillip to the maritime protection of our vast coastline of the Western seaboard.