NEW DELHI: Defense minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) first indigenously designed and built pollution control vessel ‘Samudra Pratap’ in Goa on Monday, saying the ship will “bolster India’s self-confidence”. The 114.5-metre vessel, built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), has over 60% of indigenous content.During the commissioning of ‘Samudra Pratap’ in Goa, the defense minister said, “Commissioning of this ship will increase our strength. This ship is the symbol of our collective resolve. When this ship advances against the waves, then our Coast Guard and India’s self-confidence will also be bolstered. I have been told that this ship is designed with a focus on pollution control, but I also believe it is capable of search and rescue operations, coastal patrol and is important in strengthening maritime safety.,
‘Samudra Pratap’, which is a significant milestone in India’s journey towards self-reliance in defense production, is also the largest ship in the Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) fleet, significantly enhancing its operational reach and capability.“It is a product of the modern approach adopted by GSL, to enhance flexibility and readiness to deal with present-day maritime challenges,” Rajnath said, adding, “Our Coast Guard has instilled such fear in the minds of our enemies that if anyone dares to even cast an eye toward our borders, the Coast Guard will leave them in no condition to do so again.”He said the ‘Samudra Pratap’ commissioning is linked to the country’s grand maritime vision, which recognizes that marine resources are not the property of any single nation but the shared heritage of humanity. “When a heritage is shared, the responsibility for its protection is also shared. That is why India today stands firmly on the global stage, guided by the principles of peace, stability, and environmental responsibility,” he said.On X, ICG said. “Built by GSL with over 60% indigenous content, the 114.5 meter, 4,200 tonnes vessel boasts a speed of more than 22 knots and an endurance of 6,000 nm, significantly enhancing the ICG’s pollution response, fire-fighting, and maritime safety and security capabilities.”Equipped with advanced systems, ‘Samudra Pratap’ will significantly enhance ICG’s capability to address oil spills, maritime emergencies and security challenges in exclusive economic zones and beyond. It has been designed and constructed in-house to meet the coast guard’s specific operational requirements.The vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including a 30mm CRN-91 gun, two 12.7mm stabilized remote-controlled guns with integrated fire control, an indigenously developed integrated bridge system, integrated platform management system, automated power management system, and a high-capacity external firefighting system, as per ICG. The ship will be based at ICG’s Kochi base.Hailing India as a responsible maritime power, the Defense Minister said that, “At a time when the world is passing through an era of global maritime uncertainty, India has repeatedly proven that it safeguards not only its own interests but also ensures peace and stability across the entire Indo-Pacific region. This inclusive approach of moving forward together is what makes India a responsible maritime power.”“We must shape norms in the field of maritime governance, strengthen capacity-building initiatives and advance cooperative frameworks. The Indian Coast Guard must elevate its operational doctrines, institutional practices, and technological innovations to such benchmarks that their best practices are followed worldwide,” he said.
