Kolkata. Miniratna Category 1 Defence PSU and premier warship builder – Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd – added yet another feather to its illustrious cap with the launch of two Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) Ships for Indian Coast Guard on November 22.

These Vessels, ICGS Amrit Kaur and ICGS Kamla Devi are third and fourth in the series of five FPVs built by GRSE for the Indian Coast Guard.

Upholding the best of maritime traditions, the ships were “Launched” by Ms Veena Naravane; wife of Lt General Manoj Mukund Naravane, AVSM, SM, VSM, General Officer Commanding-In-Chief (GOC-in-C); Eastern Command, Indian Army. The ceremony was held in the presence of Rear Admiral VK Saxena, Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, and other Senior Officials of GRSE, Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and Indian Army.

In a period of over five decades since its inception in 1960, GRSE has successfully developed an array of world-class platforms including Frigates, Missile Corvettes, Anti Submarine Warfare Corvettes and Landing Craft Utility Ships for the Indian Navy, all of them armed with high-tech infrastructure.

With delivery of 98 warships to its credit, GRSE today is well positioned to construct large warships harnessing advanced modular shipbuilding technology which is delightfully at par with the best in the world.

The enhanced shipbuilding capacity of GRSE has taken the organization to the level where it can construct 20 ships in tandem. With the keel-laying of the 1st Advanced Stealth Frigate of P17A Project, team GRSE has once again touched a key milestone.

No less a feat are the bagging of orders for four Survey Vessels (Large) for The Indian Navy on competitive basis and emerging a successful bidder through competition for eight ASWSWCs, with private players active in the fray. The twin triumphs have further boosted the morale of this public sector Defence Shipyard, particularly on its aggressive cost strategies.

The FPV Ships which were launched today are each 50M long, 7.5M wide with a displacement of around 308 Tons. These ships are designed for a maximum speed of 34 knots with an endurance of more than 1500 nautical miles. The FPV designs which are exclusive to GRSE are an improvisation on the Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) built by the Shipyard for the Indian Coast Guard, few years ago.

There vessels come with an efficient hull form developed in-house and proved after extensive model testing. These are fuel efficient and the powerful platforms are well suited for patrolling, anti-smuggling, anti-poaching and rescue operations. They come fitted with state-of-the-art Main Engines with Advanced Control Systems and Water Jet Units and an ‘Integrated Bridge System’ assimilating all Communication and Navigation Systems.

The key armament of a 40/60 Gun and improved habitability features with fully air conditioned modular accommodation for 35 personnel are the other salient features of the ships. With the launch now over the company is gearing up for the post launch activities which include balance fitting out of the ship, readiness of ship systems and setting to work of equipment / systems. Once over, the ships would be put to sea for trials before final delivery.

As part of Make In India initiatives of Government of India through Indigenisation Efforts, GRSE has made commendable progress by successfully incorporating a high percentage of indigenous content in the ships made in shipyard.

INS Kamorta and INS Kadmatt, the First Two of Class of 4 ASW Corvettes became the first warships built in the country with indigenously developed warship grade steel, thus having the distinction of achieving over 90 per cent indigenous content and hence a major step towards achieving self reliance in state of the art warship design and construction space.

Regarding the LCUs class of ships delivered so far, almost 90% indigenous equipment fit has been achieved. Interestingly, 70 per cent indigenous content in construction of four Follow On WJFACs and 72 per cent indigenization of the Railless Helo Traversing System on board third ASW Corvette, INS Kiltan, have helped GRSE win the confidence of all stakeholders.

Team GRSE continues to raise its bar higher in the sphere of maritime engineering excellence. The ace shipbuilder has set sail towards a growth trajectory in line with its vision to be a world leader and the launching of the Fast Patrol Vessels series propels it further towards that goal.

Continuous research and innovation, excellent product quality, lean thinking and a strong corporate structure powered by an outstanding human capital including 100 plus in-house design engineers, promise a great future for GRSE.