The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has commenced the construction of the country’s first indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV), or hovercraft. The milestone event took place at the Chowgule & Company Pvt. Ltd. shipyard in Goa, where a girder laying and erection ceremony was held to mark the beginning of this ambitious project.
The hovercraft is the first in a fleet of six such vessels to be built under a contract signed between the Ministry of Defence and the shipyard on October 24, 2024. These ACVs are based on the globally proven Griffon Hoverwork designs but are being constructed using Indian expertise, with custom modifications for operations along India’s unique maritime terrain. The vessels are expected to dramatically enhance the Indian Coast Guard’s capabilities in coastal surveillance, interdiction, and rescue operations, especially in shallow waters and difficult-to-navigate coastal zones.
Once inducted into service, these hovercraft will provide the Coast Guard with unmatched agility and speed for critical missions across India’s vast and vulnerable coastline. The design is specifically engineered for quick deployment, allowing forces to respond rapidly to maritime threats or distress calls in areas where conventional ships may not operate effectively.
This indigenous hovercraft project forms a vital part of the broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. The push for homegrown defence manufacturing has gained momentum in recent years, with both public and private players playing an increasingly pivotal role. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has consistently emphasised the importance of indigenisation, stating that a self-reliant defence sector is key to national security and long-term economic growth.
Speaking on the broader success of the initiative, Singh recently revealed that India’s defence production has soared to a historic high of Rs 1.46 lakh crore in 2024-25, with the private sector contributing over Rs 32,000 crore. In addition, India’s defence exports have reached an unprecedented Rs 24,000 crore, reflecting growing global trust in Indian defence equipment and platforms.
The hovercraft project also serves as a symbolic reminder of the successful deployment of indigenous technology during Operation Sindoor, which followed the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year. The Defence Minister cited this as a prime example of how homegrown systems are now playing decisive roles in safeguarding national interests.
Further showing the government’s commitment to indigenous capability-building, Singh also announced that the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program will be the first mega defence project in which private companies will be allowed to participate alongside public sector undertakings. This marks a new era of collaborative defence manufacturing in India, aimed at accelerating innovation and production capacity.
As construction progresses at the Goa shipyard, the first indigenous hovercraft is expected to be a flagship achievement for the Indian Coast Guard and the country’s growing defence industrial base. It represents not just a technological leap but also a strategic statement. India is no longer just a defence importer but an emerging manufacturing power, charting its own course in securing its borders.
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