L&T launches Indian Coast Guard’s third OPV
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has launched the Indian Coast Guard’s third Vikram class offshore patrol vessel at its Kattupalli shipyard, the company announced on 28 August.
L&T is building seven OPVs under a contract awarded by the Indian Ministry of Defence in March 2015. The OPVs are to be delivered to the coast guard between 2018 and 2021.
Each 97m long, 15m wide OPV has 3.6m draught and 2,140t displacement with a range of 5000 nautical miles. It can attain sustained speeds of up to 26kt.
The OPVs are equipped to operate helicopters and will conduct coastal and offshore patrol, police maritime zones, and perform control and surveillance, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations with limited wartime roles.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Ukraine’s new long-range 12m autonomous vessel can deploy other drones
Ukraine’s UForce unveiled the MV11 uncrewed surface vessel, designed to launch and support other naval drones at sea, fuelling debate over the future of autonomous maritime task groups.
-
German Navy’s Israeli missile test points to deepening defence-industrial ties
The test-firing of an Israel Aerospace Industries LORA ballistic missile from a German vessel highlights the Bundeswehr’s focus on speed to capability as it trials Israel’s operationally proven technology.
-
Global submarine suppliers compete for a rapidly shrinking market
Diminishing submarine competitions worldwide are leaving fewer acquisition opportunities, pushing contractors toward alternatives.
-
Future frigate programme highlights broader RNZN replacement challenge
New Zealand’s evaluation of the Mogami and Arrowhead 140 frigate designs reflects a wider push for alliance interoperability, and points to a larger recapitalisation of the Royal New Zealand Navy fleet beyond the current programme.