Defence Minister of India Rajnath Singh, is currently in Chennai where he will attend the investiture ceremony of Indian Coast Guard. He will also take part in the commissioning ceremony of the ship 'ICGS Varaha'. In March 2015, the Union Defence Ministry had awarded the contract to L&T for construction of seven Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). The first and second ships of this project have already been delivered to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and are presently based in the western and eastern coasts of India, and the third OPV is set to be commissioned in the presence of Rajnath Singh on September 25. The shipyard is expected to deliver all seven ships by March 2021.

All you need to know about 'ICGS Varaha'

The ICG launched a new OPV ICGS Varaha at L&T Kattupalli shipyard near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is fourth in the series of 98 M OPVs designed and built indigenously by Larsen & Toubro (L&T). It is fitted with advanced technology navigation and communication equipment, sensor and machinery. Its weaponry includes one 30 mm, and two 12.7 mm guns with a fire control system. It has been designed to attain a maximum speed of 26 knots and has an endurance of 5,000 nautical miles. It is also equipped with an Integrated Bridge System (IBS), Automated Power Management System (APMS), Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), and High Power External Fire Fighting (EFF) system.

It can carry one twin-engine helicopter and four high-speed boats, including two inflatable boats, for boarding operation, search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol. It will also be capable of carrying pollution response equipment to contain oil spills at sea.

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Defence Minister to confer awards after 3rd OPV commission

Rajnath Singh has also attended the investiture ceremony of ICG, where he awarded 61 Gallantry and Meritorious Service medals to India Coast Guard personnel during the impressive investiture ceremony.

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Defence Minister inspects ceremony:

The Defense Minister further tweeted his heartiest congratulations to the brave personnel of the ICG, "At the outset, I congratulate all the awardees and extend my heartiest felicitations. I also take the opportunity to convey best wishes of the Hon’ble President to the personnel of Indian Coast Guard and the ‘Awardees’ in particular: RM at ICG Investiture Ceremony in Chennai,"

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