The Indian Coast Guard commissioned the Hovercraft H-187 into service at Okha in Gujarat today.
H-187 is the first of a line of twelve Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) designed and built by Griffon Hoverwork Limited (GHL), UK. It is commanded by Commandant Anurag Kaushik, who is a communication specialist. The hovercraft has a crew of two Officers and 11 Enrolled Personnel (EPs).
H-187 was commissioned by Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan, AVSM, NM, the Director General Indian Coast Guard.
Deputy Inspector General BS Yadav, PTM, Commander Coast Guard Region (North-West) and other officials from the Central and State Government were also present at the induction, according to a Coast Guard statement.
The 21-meter long ACV displaces 31 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 45 knots. The ACV can take on a variety of roles including ‘surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and rendering assistance to small boats/craft in distress at sea’, according to a statement issued today.
The hovercraft will be under the ‘administrative and operational control of the Commander Coast Guard Region (North-West)’ and will be based at Okha.
Add StratPost on Google
Add StratPost as a preferred source to see more of our defence and aerospace reporting in your Google Search results.
Discover more from StratPost
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
1 comment for “Coast Guard inducts slick new hovercraft”