The Indian Coast Guard has received its first Indian-made hovercraft, an air-cushion vehicle (ACV) built by Chowgule Shipyard in Goa, marking a milestone in domestic shipbuilding for coastal defence and maritime security operations. The vessel is a high-speed, shallow-water craft designed for rapid deployment in coastal zones, islands, and estuaries.
Air-cushion vehicles, commonly known as hovercrafts, operate by generating a pressurised air cushion beneath the hull using powerful fans, which reduces friction with water and allows the craft to glide at high speeds over water, shallow coastal areas, and even land. This technology enables faster response times compared with conventional ships, particularly in areas with limited depth or complex coastlines.
The new ACV is part of the Coast Guard’s fleet modernisation and will support missions such as coastal surveillance, search and rescue, anti-pollution operations, and rapid interdiction of intruders in shallow waters. Its indigenously built design aligns with India’s broader push for Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence and maritime sectors, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for critical coastal assets.
Chowgule Shipyard’s delivery of the first ACV underscores the growing capability of Indian shipyards to produce advanced maritime platforms, including hovercrafts, fast interdiction craft, and specialized coastal vessels. The vessel is expected to enhance operational effectiveness in the Indian Ocean Region, particularly in the coastal belts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Gulf of Khambhat, and the eastern and western maritime fronts.
This development also reflects India’s strategic focus on bolstering maritime domain awareness and coastal security infrastructure, complementing the Coast Guard’s existing fleet of fast patrol vessels, offshore patrol ships, and helicopters. The hovercraft’s speed, shallow-water capability, and indigenous manufacturing position it as a key asset for future coastal defence and maritime safety operations.
