ICG bolsters operational effectiveness with induction of indigenous Air Cushion Vehicle

I have enough Tier-1 facts. Writing the note.

ICG Induction of Indigenous Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) — UPSC Study Note

First of six indigenously-built Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs/hovercraft) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) inducted at Goa on 18 June 2026, built by Chowgule & Company Pvt. Ltd. [S1][S2]
Flagship example of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence shipbuilding: indigenous construction of a niche amphibious platform earlier imported. [S1][S3]
Relevance: GS-III (Defence, Indigenisation, Internal Security at coasts); Prelims (ICG, ACV mechanics, contract value, builder). [S1]

18 June 2026: First ACV inducted into ICG service at Goa; ceremony attended by senior ICG officials and shipbuilding industry reps. [S1]
Comes after a ₹387.44 crore MoD contract (24 Oct 2024) with Chowgule & Co. for six ACVs. [S3]

24 Oct 2024: MoD signed ₹387.44 crore contract with Chowgule & Co. Pvt. Ltd., Goa, for 6 ACVs for ICG. [S3]
30 July 2025: Girder Laying & Commencement of Erection ceremony for the first ACV at Chowgule shipyard, Goa. [S2]
11 May 2026: Girder Laying of 4th, 5th, 6th ACVs at Rassaim Yard, Chowgule Shipyard, Goa. [S4]
18 June 2026: First ACV inducted into service. [S1]
Predecessor fleet: ICG earlier operated Griffon 8000TD hovercraft imported from UK; new ACVs use Griffon Hoverwork (UK) design built indigenously. [S2][S3]

Platform: Air Cushion Vehicle / Hovercraft (amphibious; rides on air cushion via lift fans). [S2]
Operator: Indian Coast Guard (under Ministry of Defence, Department of Military Affairs). [S1][S3]
Builder: Chowgule & Company Pvt. Ltd., Goa (Rassaim Yard). [S3][S4]
Design basis: Griffon Hoverwork, UK (proven design, indigenised). [S2]
Number ordered: 6 ACVs. [S3]
Contract value: ₹387.44 crore. [S3]
Contract date: 24 October 2024. [S3]
Indigenous content: >50%. [S2][S3]
Roles: high-speed coastal patrol, reconnaissance in shallow waters, marshy/creek areas and deep sea, interdiction (day/night), search and rescue (SAR). [S2]
Statutory base of ICG: Coast Guard Act, 1978 (ICG raised 1977; armed force of the Union).

ACVs fill a niche capability gap — operation over mudflats, marshes, sandbars, shallow creeks inaccessible to conventional patrol boats; vital for Sundarbans, Rann of Kutch, Gulf of Khambhat, Chilika. [S2]
Counter-infiltration role post-26/11: shallow-coast surveillance against smuggling, illegal immigration, terror infiltration via sea. [S2]

₹387.44 crore order to a private Indian yard (Chowgule) deepens private-sector defence shipbuilding base. [S3]
Supports MSME suppliers via >50% indigenous content; reduces forex outgo on imported hovercraft. [S2][S3]

Indigenous absorption of Griffon Hoverwork technology (lift fans + thrust propellers + flexible skirt). [S2]
Complements ICG's Waterjet Production & Testing Facility at Goa (inaugurated 2025), part of marine-propulsion indigenisation. [S5]

Aligned with Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 "Buy (Indian-IDDM)"-style indigenisation push. [S3]
ICG modernisation under MoD — distinct from Navy procurement track; reflects capability enhancement of ICG as the 4th armed force.

ACV builder: Chowgule & Company Pvt. Ltd., Goa (private yard). [S3]
Total ACVs contracted for ICG: 6. [S3]
Contract value: ₹387.44 crore. [S3]
Contract signed on 24 October 2024 by Ministry of Defence. [S3]
Design origin: Griffon Hoverwork, United Kingdom. [S2]
Indigenous content threshold: >50%. [S2]
First ACV inducted: 18 June 2026, Goa. [S1]
Indian Coast Guard functions under Ministry of Defence (not MHA). [S1]
ICG statutory base: Coast Guard Act, 1978.
Rassaim Yard (Goa) is the build site of 4th–6th ACVs. [S4]
Roles include patrolling in marshy areas/shallow waters, SAR, interdiction. [S2]
ICG Waterjet Production & Testing Facility also located in Goa. [S5]

Indian Coast Guard — mandate, structure, Coast Guard Act 1978.
SAGAR / MAHASAGAR doctrine — maritime neighbourhood policy.
Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 — "Buy (Indian-IDDM)" category.
Project-17A, Project-15B, NGOPV — companion ICG/Navy shipbuilding programmes.
Coastal Security Scheme (MHA) — marine police interface with ICG.
NC3I & IMAC (Information Management & Analysis Centre) — post-26/11 coastal surveillance grid.
Sagarmala Programme — port-led development overlap with coastal security.
Griffon hovercraft 8000TD — predecessor imported ACV class with ICG.

ICG is under MoD, NOT MHA (Marine Police are under MHA — don't confuse).
ACVs are for ICG, not the Indian Navy.
Builder is Chowgule & Co. (private), NOT a DPSU like GRSE/GSL/MDL.
Design origin: Griffon Hoverwork (UK) — not Russian or French.
Coast Guard Act year is 1978 (ICG was formally raised on 1 Feb 1977 on interim basis); aspirants mix the two.
"Hovercraft" = ACV; do not confuse with WIG (wing-in-ground) craft or SES (surface effect ship).

[S1] ICG bolsters operational effectiveness with induction of indigenous Air Cushion Vehicle — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2274642 — (tier: 1)
[S2] Indigenous Hovercraft Construction for ICG Begins at Chowgule Shipyard — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2150049 — (tier: 1)
[S3] MoD inks Rs 387.44 crore contract with Chowgule & Company Pvt. Ltd., Goa for six Air Cushion Vehicles for Indian Coast Guard — https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2067697 — (tier: 1)
[S4] ICG Conducts Girder Laying Ceremony for Indigenous Air Cushion Vehicles in Goa — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2259968 — (tier: 1)
[S5] DG ICG inaugurates Waterjet Production & Testing Facility in Goa — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2227772 — (tier: 1)