Overview
- The Indian Coast Guard’s 14‑ship Fast Patrol Vessel program, which held a keel laying for FPV‑4 and a plate cutting for FPV‑7 on Monday at MDL in Mumbai, has entered major build stages.
- Each vessel displaces about 340 tonnes and uses water‑jet propulsion for coastal security, search and rescue, and law‑enforcement work.
- Key parts come from Indian suppliers, including a gearbox from Triveni in Mysore and water jets from MJP India.
- The class adds an AI‑based predictive maintenance system and multipurpose drones to improve up‑time and widen surveillance and rescue coverage.
- Officials called the twin milestones a significant step under a January 2024 MDL contract that is set to strengthen the Coast Guard’s presence in the Indian Ocean Region.