Raksha Mantri E-Commissions ICGS SACHET Built By Goa Shipyard Limited

Raksha Mantri E-Commissions ICGS SACHET Built By Goa Shipyard Limited

New Delhi: In a unique and first of its kind ceremony, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh dedicated state-of-the-art new generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), ICGS ‘SACHET’ to the nation during E-commissioning ceremony held at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) on 15th May 2020.  The Ship has been designed in-house & built by GSL and was delivered to Indian Coast Guard on 24 Feb 2020 as per contractual delivery schedule.

The e-commissioning was done through Direct Video link with Raksha Mantralaya in New Delhi due to prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining strict protocol of social distancing. Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Yasso Naik was present at GSL for the ceremony along with very limited dignitaries. The occasion was also utilized to e-commission 02 nos. Interceptor Boats into the Indian Coast Guard.
 
 Hon’ble Raksha Mantri praised GSL for continuing with its ship production and repairs activity and making possible first of its kind commissioning through digital medium, along with Indian Coast Guard.
 
ICGS ‘SACHET’ is fitted with the most sophisticated weapons, sensors and communication systems. The OPV, which will be based in Goa, will boost Indian Coast Guard’s capability in meeting the increasing requirements for undertaking ocean surveillance in Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and surface warfare operations to prevent infiltration and threats to critical offshore assets. 
 
Speaking on the occasion DGCG K Natrajan, PTM,TM said ‘ Joining of these three ships in our fleet will provide added strength to our surveillance capabilities on the Western and Eastern seaboards, especially during the ensuing Southwest monsoon.”
 
Cmde B B Nagpal, NM, CMD, GSL said ‘It is a matter of great pride for us at GSL that the first ship of the 5 CGOPVs series project is getting commissioned by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri and now the vessel will be available with Indian Coast Guard for full exploitation. GSL is proud of its long association with Indian Coast Guard”. The remaining four OPVs of the series are progressing well and all efforts are being made to ensure timely delivery of the ships.
 

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