India commissions fourth IPV for Coast Guard

The Indian Coast Guard has commissioned fourth of the series of eight Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs), Rajkamal, at Chennai, India.

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers-built Rajkiran IPV is 50m-long, has a maximum speed of 34k and an endurance of 1500nm.

Integrated with modern weaponry and advanced communication and navigational equipment, the 300t indigenous IPV can support multiple close-coast missions including surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue, and medical evacuation.

Additional features of the vessel include integrated bridge management system (IBMS), integrated machinery control system (IMCS), an integrated gun mount and an indigenous fire control system (FCS).

Based at Chennai, the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Rajkamal will be under Administrative and Operational control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (East).

Commanded by Commandant Ravindra Kumar, the high-speed water jet propelled ICGS Rajkamal is capable of accommodating a crew of 5 Officers and 30 Enrolled Personnel.

The ship is expected to boost Indian Coast Guard’s capability to further ensure the maritime safety and security and coastal security on the Eastern Seaboard of the nation.

Earlier in August 2012, the ICG has commissioned third of the series of eight Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs), Rajkiran, at its eastern naval command base in Visakhapatnam, India.