Goa Shipyard Delivers Indigenous Adamya-Class FPV ICGS Ajit to Indian Coast Guard
Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) handed over the Fast Patrol Vessel ICGS Ajit (Yard 1277) to the Indian Coast Guard on 25 August 2026, completing another addition to the country’s indigenously designed Adamya-class fleet. The delivery, carried out at GSL’s facility in Vasco da Gama, comes as part of India’s broader push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
The vessel has been built with more than 65% indigenous content and fitted with Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP) propulsion, a feature described as the first of its kind for this class of Fast Patrol Vessels in the Indian Coast Guard. Designed for speed, endurance and flexibility, ICGS Ajit is meant to strengthen the force’s ability to monitor the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), secure coastal waters, counter smuggling and piracy, and carry out search-and-rescue missions.
The handover ceremony was preceded by the First Reading Ceremony and attended by senior officials from both organisations. Those present included Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, Chairman and Managing Director, GSL; Rear Admiral Nelson D’Souza, NM, IN (Retd), Director (Operations), GSL; Jahangeer Alam Ansari, Director (Finance), GSL; Nagesh Das Pai, Director (CPP&BD), GSL; DIG V. K. Parmar, TM, Principal Director (Material), Indian Coast Guard; and Commandant (Junior Grade) Manish Talan, the commanding officer of ICGS Ajit, along with other senior officers.
GSL announced the delivery on its social media channels, framing the event as part of its continuing role in maritime security and indigenous shipbuilding.
What makes ICGS Ajit different
ICGS Ajit is one of eight vessels in GSL’s Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessel programme, which has been developed entirely in-house by the shipyard. The class has been designed for operations in shallow waters and along the coast, where agility and quick response are critical.
The vessel measures 51.43 metres in length with a beam of 8 metres. It has a displacement of approximately 320–330 tonnes at a draught of about 2.5 metres. Powered by twin marine diesel engines of around 3,000 kW each, it can reach speeds of over 27 knots, with some references placing the maximum at 28 knots. Its range is about 1,500 nautical miles at cruising speed.
The CPP propulsion system is central to the vessel’s operational profile. Unlike conventional fixed-pitch systems, CPP allows changes in speed and direction without altering engine RPM, improving manoeuvrability, propulsion efficiency and flexibility during missions. The ship also carries integrated machinery control systems, an Integrated Bridge System and other automation features intended to improve operational readiness and efficiency.
Typical armament for the class includes a 30 mm CRN-91 naval gun and two 12.7 mm stabilised remote-controlled machine guns. Crew strength is listed as 6 officers and 35 sailors, though some sources give slightly different figures of 5 officers and 34 personnel. The design is also described as meeting dual classification standards to support robust performance in demanding coastal conditions.
Role in Coast Guard operations
The Indian Coast Guard is expected to use ICGS Ajit across a wide range of missions. These include surveillance and patrol of the EEZ, coastal and island security, fisheries protection, anti-smuggling and anti-trafficking duties, anti-piracy operations, and search-and-rescue tasks. The vessel can also be used for support roles such as maintaining communication links or escorting convoys during contingencies.
With India’s coastline, offshore assets and maritime traffic continuing to grow in strategic importance, fast patrol vessels remain a key part of the Coast Guard’s force structure. Ships such as Ajit are intended to provide quick response capability, improve maritime domain awareness and help maintain security across coastal and offshore areas.
Part of a larger indigenous shipbuilding programme
The Adamya-class programme was formalised in March 2022, when the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with GSL for eight Fast Patrol Vessels under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category at an estimated cost of ₹473 crore. The agreement covered the indigenous design, development and manufacture of the vessels within a defined delivery schedule.
ICGS Ajit and its sister ship ICGS Aparajit (Yard 1278) were the final two vessels in the series. Both were launched together on 24 October 2025 at GSL by Smt. Manju Sharma, in the presence of Dr. Mayank Sharma, Financial Advisor (Defence Services), and senior officers from the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy and Ministry of Defence.
Earlier ships in the class, including Adamya, Akshar, Amulya, Akshay and Achal, have already entered service. Their induction reflects the shipyard’s accelerated production pace and its growing experience in building advanced patrol platforms. The class also represents an upgrade over earlier FPV designs through the introduction of CPP propulsion and higher indigenous content.
Why the delivery matters
The handing over of ICGS Ajit adds to the Indian Coast Guard’s ongoing fleet modernisation effort and illustrates the expanding capability of Indian shipyards to deliver complex defence platforms domestically. GSL, a Mini-Ratna public sector undertaking with a longstanding role in building ships for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, continues to support local industry through its supply chain, including MSMEs, while contributing to employment generation and skill development.
For the Coast Guard, the vessel’s induction is another step in building a more capable and self-reliant maritime security architecture. The ship is expected to undergo final formalities before full operational deployment under the force’s command structure.
