L&T launches Indian Coast Guard’s fourth OPV
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has launched the Indian Coast Guard’s fourth offshore patrol vessel (OPV) at its Kattupalli Shipyard.
The vessel is fourth in a series of seven OPVs L&T is building under a contract awarded by the Indian Ministry of Defence in March 2015.
Each 97m long, 15m wide OPV has 3.6m draught and 2140t displacement with a range of 5000 nautical miles. The vessels can attain sustained speeds of up to 26kt.
The OPVs are equipped to operate helicopters and will be deployed for operations including coastal and offshore patrol, policing maritime zones, control and surveillance, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations with limited wartime roles.
L&T delivered the first of class OPV, ICGS Vikram, in April 2018. This was followed by the delivery of second OPV, ICGS Vijaya, in August. The third OPV is currently being readied for sea trials
More from Naval Warfare
-
China’s mineral processing dominance exposes naval supply chain vulnerabilities
Competition for critical minerals, and China’s dominance of their processing, is emerging as a decisive factor in future naval procurement programmes.
-
Suppliers await next step in Australia’s mine warfare transition
Australia’s mine countermeasure capability remains in flux as the Huon-class nears retirement, but accelerated investment in autonomous systems is opening a path for industry.
-
Can the US Navy ask Indo-Pacific allies to do more while training with them less?
As the Iran War draws US ships and marine corps units away from the Indo-Pacific, curtailed exercises and a temporary carrier gap are exposing tensions between Washington’s demand for more self-reliant allies and the joint training needed to realise that ambition.
-
How could Rheinmetall’s GMF 140 fit with ongoing programmes in North America?
With Canada committed to its River-class replacement and the USN pursuing a lower-cost frigate, Rheinmetall will need to demonstrate where the GMF 140 can fill a capability gap in the North American fleet.
-
Australian industry programme builds pipeline for Virginia-class sustainment
Australian businesses can now bid to support Virginia-class submarine sustainment in Western Australia, as momentum around the Henderson Defence Precinct also builds.