Coast Guard Commissions Indigenous Patrol Vessel ICGS Akshay

New Delhi: The Indian Coast Guard has inducted a new generation indigenous fast patrol vessel, ICGS Akshay, into its operational fleet, enhancing its maritime surveillance and coastal security capabilities. The vessel was commissioned at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) in Goa, adding a new indigenous maritime asset to India’s expanding fleet.

ICGS Akshay will be commanded by Commandant (JG) Deepak Choubey.

Built by Goa Shipyard Limited, ICGS Akshay is designed for a wide range of coastal and offshore missions, including maritime law enforcement, search-and-rescue operations, anti-smuggling patrols, environmental protection, and assistance to vessels in distress.

The induction is expected to augment the operational reach of the coast guard across India’s vast maritime zones.

The commissioning of ICGS Akshay demonstrates India’s continuing emphasis on indigenous defence manufacturing. The Indian Coast Guard, in its press statement, said, “Designed and constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited, ICGS Akshay is another significant achievement in indigenous shipbuilding and reflects the Government’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”

The vessel’s name, Akshay, in Sanskrit means “indestructible”. It signifies the coast guard’s steadfast resolve to safeguard India’s maritime frontiers. Ministry of Defence said the ship represents the service’s focus on maintaining safe, secure and clean seas while remaining prepared for emerging maritime challenges.

The commissioning ceremony was led by Parama Sen, Additional Secretary (Personnel), Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. Senior Coast Guard officers, including Inspector General Bhisham Sharma, Commander of the Coast Guard Region (west), and Inspector General Jyotindra Singh, Deputy Director General (HRD), along with representatives of the central and state governments and Goa Shipyard Limited, attended the event.

Indian Coast Guard’s Role

The Indian Coast Guard plays a critical, multi-layered role in safeguarding the country’s vast maritime domain, which has a coastline stretching over 7,500 kilometres and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spanning roughly 2.4 million square kilometres.

Established in 1978, it serves as the principal agency for enforcing maritime law, protecting offshore assets like oil rigs and undersea pipelines, and curbing smuggling, illegal fishing, piracy, and maritime terrorism.

It is also the first responder for search-and-rescue operations at sea, marine pollution control, and disaster relief during cyclones or coastal emergencies.

Strategically, the Coast Guard complements the Indian Navy by handling peacetime constabulary and surveillance duties, freeing the Navy to focus on broader defence needs, making it indispensable to India’s coastal security architecture, especially after the 2008 Mumbai attacks exposed gaps in maritime vigilance and led to a major expansion of its fleet and mandate.