+
India Inducts First Indigenous Hovercraft Into Coast Guard
ECONOMY & POLICY

India Inducts First Indigenous Hovercraft Into Coast Guard

The Indian Coast Guard inducted its first indigenous Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV), designated H-561, on 18 June 2026. The craft was built at Chowgule & Company Private Limited's shipyard in Goa and is the first of six indigenous ACVs ordered for the force. The induction was presented as a milestone in local shipbuilding and maritime capability enhancement.

An Air Cushion Vehicle travels on a cushion of air created by lift fans and can operate over shallow water, mudflats, beaches and marshy terrain where conventional hull vessels face limits. ACVs enable rapid transit over mixed surfaces and reduce dependence on favourable water depth for littoral operations. Their design allows for quick deployment in search and rescue and humanitarian assistance missions.

The Indian Coast Guard uses hovercraft for coastal surveillance, rapid response, logistics and search and rescue along the littoral belt. ACVs are particularly suited to areas with sandbanks, tidal variation and low-support surfaces that restrict conventional craft. The service expects these platforms to augment patrol reach and operational flexibility.

The six ACVs are being built under an indigenous shipbuilding programme linked to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and a contract was reported as signed between the Ministry of Defence and Chowgule & Company Private Limited on 24 October 2026. Chowgule's yard in Goa was cited as the manufacturing site for the series and further vessels are under construction. Local construction of specialised platforms is intended to strengthen domestic industrial capacity and sustainment.

India's coastline spans 7,516.6 kilometres including island territories, and the Indian Coast Guard operates within the Exclusive Economic Zone and along the coastal belt for law enforcement and safety duties. The addition of hovercraft complements other assets used for anti-smuggling and maritime security tasks. The induction was portrayed as a practical enhancement to coastal response and shallow water capability.

The Indian Coast Guard inducted its first indigenous Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV), designated H-561, on 18 June 2026. The craft was built at Chowgule & Company Private Limited's shipyard in Goa and is the first of six indigenous ACVs ordered for the force. The induction was presented as a milestone in local shipbuilding and maritime capability enhancement. An Air Cushion Vehicle travels on a cushion of air created by lift fans and can operate over shallow water, mudflats, beaches and marshy terrain where conventional hull vessels face limits. ACVs enable rapid transit over mixed surfaces and reduce dependence on favourable water depth for littoral operations. Their design allows for quick deployment in search and rescue and humanitarian assistance missions. The Indian Coast Guard uses hovercraft for coastal surveillance, rapid response, logistics and search and rescue along the littoral belt. ACVs are particularly suited to areas with sandbanks, tidal variation and low-support surfaces that restrict conventional craft. The service expects these platforms to augment patrol reach and operational flexibility. The six ACVs are being built under an indigenous shipbuilding programme linked to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and a contract was reported as signed between the Ministry of Defence and Chowgule & Company Private Limited on 24 October 2026. Chowgule's yard in Goa was cited as the manufacturing site for the series and further vessels are under construction. Local construction of specialised platforms is intended to strengthen domestic industrial capacity and sustainment. India's coastline spans 7,516.6 kilometres including island territories, and the Indian Coast Guard operates within the Exclusive Economic Zone and along the coastal belt for law enforcement and safety duties. The addition of hovercraft complements other assets used for anti-smuggling and maritime security tasks. The induction was portrayed as a practical enhancement to coastal response and shallow water capability.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Products

Interio by Godrej launches modular workplace solutions

Interio by Godrej has launched Workscapes, a modular workplace solutions category designed to help organisations configure and adapt workspaces to changing requirements. The portfolio combines mobile and compatible furniture and support elements that can be rearranged across different work modes without changes to fixed layouts.Workscapes includes Collaboration Tables, Privacy Solutions, Mobile Markerboards and Space Dividers, Power Solutions, Storage and Support Elements, Meeting and Presentation Tools, and Seating Elements. The range is designed for focused work, collaboration, informal disc..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

CAFE-III Gives Auto Industry Investment Clarity

The government’s new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE-III) norms have provided the automobile industry with a clearer framework for technology investments, according to industry representatives. The framework seeks to balance environmental objectives with flexibility for manufacturers while encouraging the adoption of flex-fuel vehicles and biofuels. Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) President Shenu Agarwal said the five-year framework would give automakers greater predictability to plan investments and accelerate innovation. He said the regulation established annual targ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Mines Ministry to Auction Two Offshore Mineral Blocks in Andaman Sea

The Ministry of Mines will launch an auction of two offshore mineral blocks in the Andaman Sea on Thursday, seeking to unlock India’s offshore mineral potential and strengthen long-term mineral resource security. The blocks will be offered under a composite licence, which permits exploration and development activities in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework. The ministry said the auction was intended to encourage systematic exploration, attract investment and promote the use of advanced technologies for offshore mineral exploration and development. The initiative is also aimed..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code