Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has officially commenced the construction of the first of 14 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) for the Indian Coast Guard with a keel-laying ceremony held at the Ritchie Dry Dock in Mumbai. This significant event is part of a ₹1,070 crore contract signed in January 2024 and aims to bolster India’s maritime security infrastructure.
The ceremony brought together key dignitaries, including DIG Atul Parlikar, who oversees the Coast Guard Shipyard Division in Mumbai, and Mr. A Vinod, Executive Director (Shipbuilding) at MDL. The presence of representatives from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) highlighted the collaborative effort in this ambitious project, emphasizing a shared commitment to advancing India’s defense capabilities.
The construction of these 14 FPVs aligns with India’s broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aimed at achieving self-reliance in defense manufacturing. Designed with lightweight aluminum-alloy hulls and equipped with twin water-jet propulsion systems, the vessels are intended for high-speed, agile operations across India’s extensive 7,500-kilometre coastline and its Exclusive Economic Zone.
These state-of-the-art FPVs will feature advanced surveillance technologies and response mechanisms, including multipurpose drones, artificial intelligence systems, and remotely operated rescue crafts. Their capabilities will be essential for various missions encompassing fisheries protection, anti-smuggling operations, anti-piracy patrols, shallow water search and rescue, and marine pollution interventions.
The keel-laying ceremony incorporated traditional Indian rituals, adorned with a foundation stone and floral decorations that celebrated the cultural heritage intertwined with modern defense production. A prominent banner illustrated the strategic partnership between MDL and the Indian Coast Guard, symbolizing a unified vision for national security.
This initiative comes at a time when India is intensifying its focus on securing the Indian Ocean Region and protecting critical Sea Lanes of Communication. With rising maritime security threats such as transnational crime and geopolitical tensions, the FPVs are poised to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard, complementing naval efforts along the International Maritime Boundary Line.
MDL’s legacy in India’s naval shipbuilding is significant, having delivered a range of frontline assets, including stealth frigates and destroyers. The FPV project promises to stimulate ancillary industries, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), supporting the nation’s broader defense ecosystem in accordance with economic objectives.
Officials at the ceremony emphasized the necessity of timely execution, with the first FPV expected to set the stage for subsequent deliveries. This venture symbolizes a strategic advance in maritime preparedness and underscores India’s determination to strengthen its coastal security through indigenous innovation and capabilities.
