Indian Coast Guard Inducts First Indigenous Air Cushion Vehicle Built by Chowgule & Company
New Delhi, June 18, 2026: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has inducted the first of six indigenous Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs), or hovercraft, built by Chowgule & Company Private Limited, marking a significant step towards strengthening India's maritime capabilities and promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The induction ceremony was held in Goa in the presence of senior Coast Guard officials and representatives from the shipbuilding industry.
The hovercraft is designed to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Indian Coast Guard across a wide range of maritime duties and improve its ability to respond to evolving security and operational challenges.
The induction also aligns with the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision and highlights the growing capabilities of India's maritime industrial ecosystem.
The Ministry of Defence had signed a contract with Chowgule & Company Private Limited for the acquisition of six Air Cushion Vehicles for the Indian Coast Guard.
According to the Coast Guard, the induction underscores its continued focus on modernization and capability enhancement to safeguard the nation's maritime interests.