Despite challenges due to COVID-19 since March 2020, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), an Indian multinational engaged in EPC Projects, Hi-Tech Manufacturing and Services, delivered Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ICGS Vajra to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
Commissioned recently by General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff at Chennai, the ICGS Vajra is the sixth vessel in the series of seven OPVs being built by L&T under MoD contract signed in 2015.
The seventh OPV ICGS Vigraha was launched in Oct 2020 and is getting ready for sea trials. Since its foray into defence shipbuilding in Mar 2010. It has so far delivered 62 defence vessels.
OPVs are long-range surface ships capable of operating in India’s maritime zones, including island territories with helicopter operation capabilities. Their roles include coastal and offshore patrolling, policing maritime zones of India, control and surveillance, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations with limited wartime roles. These vessels can attain a sustained speed of up to 26 knots (48.15 kmph). The American Bureau of Shipping and the Indian Registrar of Shipping have certified the entire design and construction process. It is overseen by the Indian Coast Guard’s resident team at Kattupalli.
COVID-19 caused severe restrictions on the movement of personnel and material and completely disrupted the global supply chain. However, after the early lockdowns, the company made special efforts to mobilise the workforce and logistics and accelerate the shipbuilding activities.
L&T has also established modern infrastructure and processes at Kattupalli shipyard to provide efficient lifecycle support for defence ships. The yard has successfully repaired/refitted and upgraded 18 Indian Navy and Coast Guard vessels, including Fleet Tankers, Survey Vessel, Offshore Patrol Vessels, Floating Dock, Fast Attack Craft etc. ensuring their quick redeployment into service.
S N Subrahmanyan, CEO & MD, Larsen & Toubro, said the company ensured the progress of ship construction activities by leveraging its core strengths of innovation, adaptability and commitment to overcome unprecedented business interruptions caused by COVID-19. L&T’s total commitment to ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ in defence is evident from huge investments made in the setting-up of world-class defence production facilities across India and the in-house development of a wide range of defence technologies for the Indian Armed Forces.
Jayant D Patil, Whole Time Director (Defence & Smart Technologies) and Member of L&T Board, said, “Commissioning of ICGS Vajra into the Indian Coast Guard is a milestone achievement in our Shipbuilding journey considering numerous challenges posed by COVID-19 since March 2020. Our range of offerings primarily stems from in-house R&D, Industry 4.0 practices from design, engineering, manufacturing to platform integration, and Customer Focus and active engagement with Indian armed forces over three decades. Besides significantly contributing to the modernisation plans, L&T is poised for ‘Make in India’ in defence for export to friendly nations.”