Vikram, the first of a series of seven Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), was launched on Friday. The long-range ship was built by Larsen and Toubro.
What are OPVs?
OPVs are long-range surface ships capable of coastal and offshore patrolling, policing maritime zones, control & surveillance, anti-smuggling & anti-piracy operations with limited wartime roles.
Order: 6 similar OPVs have been ordered by the Indian Coast Guard with the same builder
Cost: ₹1,432 cr. The total order value to design and build seven OPVs
An Offshore Patrol Vessels of the Indian Coast Guard
Timeline | March 2015 - March 2018
The contract was signed on March 2015 and the target delivery of the first OPV was set at 36 months - March 2018 - and subsequent vessels at intervals of 6 months.
Induction | April 2018 'Vikram' is likely to be inducted into the Indian Coast Guard in April 2018 after completion of extensive trials
About 60% components of the ship were sourced from domestic suppliers
Helipad: The ship will have Integral Twin Engine Helicopter which will enhance its operational, surveillance, search and rescue capabilities
Gun: The ship is fitted with one 30 mm automatic gun with Fire Control System (FCS) and two 12.7 mm guns with FCS
Draught: 3.6 m It is the distance between the surface of the water and the lowest point of the vessel
Displacement tonnage:
2,140 tonnes
It is the weight of the ship, measured indirectly by measuring the water displaced by the hull of the ship up to the waterline
Range: 5,000 NM It is the distance that can be covered by the ship without stopping for refuelling
Speed: 26 knots
It is the measurement of speed at sea. One knot is 1.852 km/hr
Width 15 m | Length 97 m
The propellers of the Offshore Patrol vessel Vikram.
The ship getting ready for launch.
The vessel being lowered into the water.
Source: PIB; Graphic: Karthick S.T.
