Second Indian Coast Guard OPV launches

By Baird Maritime - January 23, 2018.

Indian shipbuilder Larsen and Toubro has launched a second offshore patrol vessel (OPV) for the Indian Coast Guard at its Kattupalli shipyard near Chennai.

The 97-metre CGS Vijaya is the second in a series of seven OPVs to be built for the coast guard under a contract signed in March 2015.

The lead vessel Vikram was launched in October and is undergoing trials.

Fitted with two 9,000kW diesel engines, the 2,100GT OPVs displace 2,140 tonnes. Reaching a top speed of 26 knots, they have an endurance of 5,000 nautical miles with a cruising speed of 12 to 14 knots.

They will be manned by 102 crew, including 14 officers.

Vijaya will be used for day and night patrol and surveillance, anti-terrorist, anti-smuggling operations and coastal security.