The Indian Coast Guard inducted the first of six indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicles into service in Goa on 18 June.
The craft is being constructed by Chowgule and Company Private Limited as part of a six-vehicle acquisition for the Coast Guard. The induction marks the start of service entry for the locally manufactured batch.
An Air Cushion Vehicle, commonly described as a hovercraft, travels on a cushion of air rather than relying only on a conventional displacement hull. That design is useful for operations across water and difficult shallow or tidal approaches where an ordinary patrol vessel may face access limits.
The Defence Ministry said the new vehicle is intended to improve operational effectiveness across a range of maritime duties and strengthen the Coast Guard's ability to respond to emerging challenges.
The induction also adds a specialised platform to the Coast Guard's wider mix of ships, boats and aircraft. Its operational value will depend on availability, crew training, maintenance support and performance in the environments for which the craft is assigned.
Senior Coast Guard officers and representatives of the shipbuilding industry attended the ceremony. The ministry linked the programme with continuing modernisation and capability development for safeguarding India's maritime interests.
Because the vehicle is being produced by an Indian company, the programme also contributes to a domestic industrial base for specialised maritime platforms. Delivery of the remaining five craft will determine how quickly the planned fleet strength is achieved.
The release did not provide detailed performance specifications or a verified delivery schedule for the remaining vehicles. The confirmed development is the induction in Goa of the first craft from the six-vehicle indigenous programme.
