Project 17A Frigate

• Under the Project 17A program, a total of four ships by M/s MDL and three ships byM/s GRSE are under construction. The project’s first five ships have been launched by MDL & GRSE, between 2019-2022.
• Project 17A ships have been designed in-house by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, the pioneer organization for all warship design activities
• A substantial 75 per cent of the orders for equipment and systems of Project 17A ships are from indigenous firms, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
• These warships are follow-ons of the Project 17 Class Frigates (Shivalik Class), with improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors and platform management systems.

The ships have been named INS Nilgiri, INS Himgiri, INS Udaygiri, INS Dunagiri, INS Taragiri, INS Vindhyagiri and INS Mahendragiri after the names of hill ranges in India.

Indian Coast Guard vessels news

Indigenously built Coast Guard ship Samar decommissioned

• The Indian Coast Guard Ship Samar, the first indigenously constructed vessel with a gross displacement of over 1,800 gross tonnage, was decommissioned with full honors at the Coast Guard jetty in Mattancherry.
• Commissioned in 1996, the ship played a crucial role in various operations, including anti-poaching, anti-smuggling, search and rescue, and medical evacuations.
• During its nearly three decades of service, Samar covered more than 5,68,700 miles and contributed significantly to maritime security.
• The decommissioning ceremony included the lowering of the Coast Guard ensign and the symbolic “Paying off Pennant.”

Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Prahari

• The Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Prahari, a specialized Pollution Control Vessel, is currently on an overseas deployment to ASEAN countries from 11 Sep to 14 Oct 2023.
• This deployment is part of India’s ASEAN initiatives for Marine Pollution Response, showcasing the Pollution Response capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and its commitment to addressing marine pollution issues and enhancing capacity in the region.
• The ship is equipped with a Chetak Helicopter in Pollution Response configuration, enhancing its capabilities in this area.
• This initiative was announced by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh during the ASEAN Defence Minister Meeting Plus meeting in Cambodia in November 2022.

ICGS Shaurya

• It is an Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) designed and built by M/s Goa Shipyard Limited. It operates both Chetak & Advance Light Helicopters and has long-range endurance.
• The ship’s sustenance and reach coupled with its advanced systems make her a versatile multipurpose platform for fulfilling Coast Guard Charter of duties.

ICGS Rajveer

• It is an Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV) designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders, Kolkata.
• It is fitted with advanced navigation and communication equipment, sensors and machinery imparting the ship wide-ranging capabilities for search and rescue, maritime law enforcement and marine pollution response operations.

ICGS Saksham

• India’s new multipurpose patrol vessel. For boarding operations, search and rescue, law enforcement, and maritime patrol, the ship is designed to carry one helicopter with twin engines as well as four high-speed boats, including two inflatable boats.
• In addition to that, the OPV is equipped to haul a small amount of oil spill containment equipment.
• Indian Coast Guard (ICG) commissioned the M-Class multipurpose offshore patrol vessel (OPV), ICGS Saksham, she was the fifth vessel in the series of 105 M-Class vessels.
• The previous series was also built by GSL — ICGS Samarth, ICGS Shoor, ICGS Sarathi, ICGS Shaunak, ICGS Shaurya and ICGS Sujay.
• The latest addition includes ICGS Sachet, ICGS Sujeet, ICGS Sajag, ICGS Sarthak and ICGS Saksham.