Indian Coast Guard to commission ninth hovercraft

Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) Mandapam station in South East of Tamil Nadu has taken delivery of one more new variant of the UK-built Air Cushion Vehicle Hovercraft-ACV H 195.

Scheduled for commissioning by Coast Guard director-general vice-admiral Anurag Thapliyal on 13 May, the ninth in series of 12 ACVs adds to Mandapam station’s three Hovercraft fleet including two interceptor crafts and one interceptor boat.

Designed and built by UK based Griffon Hoverworks, the 30t, 20m long ACV H 195 can cruise at speeds of about 45k, while hovering 1.5m high.

Based at Mandapam under the Administrative and Operational Control of the Commander Coast Guard Region (East), the latest H-series Hovercraft would facilitate quick response to emergencies and offer an effective surveillance cover along the length of the coast.

The advanced hovercraft version can also be deployed on missions across the spectrum ranging from surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and rendering assistance to small boats/craft in distress at sea.

The Mandapam station took the delivery of the first ACV Hovercraft, ACV H190, on 25 January, with commissioning on 19 February.
ICG’s procurement is in line with its strategy to double its existing force level with planned inductions by 2018.

ICG has also commissioned H-189, H-191 versions for use at Okha under the Administrative and Operational Control of the Commander Coast Guard Region (North-West).

Image: During the commissioning of first ACV Hovercraft, ACV H190, on 25 January 2014. Photo: Courtesy of Indian Coast Guard, Ministry Of Defence, Government Of India.