ICG Inducts Hovercraft H-561, First of Six Indigenous ACVs
Why in the news
On 18 June 2026 the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) took delivery of H-561, the first in a series of six home-built hovercraft, at Chowgule Shipyard in Rassaim, Goa. The induction is being presented as a step for Aatmanirbhar Bharat in maritime defence manufacturing.
Key facts
- Builder: Chowgule & Company Private Limited, Goa.
- Contract: a ₹387.44 crore deal with the Defence Ministry dated 24 October 2024, placed in the “Buy (Indian)” class of DAP (Defence Acquisition Procedure).
- Technology: licensed Griffon Hoverwork (UK) designs; more than 50 per cent indigenous content.
- Delivery plan: the other five craft follow at three-month intervals; Chowgule will maintain the fleet for five years after delivery.
H-561 specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Cruising speed | 52 knots (4 knots above the ICG requirement) |
| Capacity | Carries 42 personnel; payload of 8 tonnes |
| Endurance | 9 hours |
| Order size | 6 ACVs, first delivered June 2026 |
About Air Cushion Vehicles
- An ACV, or hovercraft, is an amphibious craft that glides over water, mudflats, sandbars, shallow beaches, land, ice and marshes.
- Its zero-draft design lets it move between deep sea, tidal mud and sandy shores where ordinary hulls would run aground.
- Built with lightweight marine-grade materials and a durable rubber skirt that protects the structure over debris and rough terrain.
- Carries marine radars, night-vision thermal imaging and secure communication for round-the-clock use even in fog or zero visibility.
About the Indian Coast Guard
- Came into being on 18 August 1978 through the Coast Guard Act of that year; headquarters in New Delhi; part of the Ministry of Defence.
- Director General: Paramesh Sivamani (since 2024).
- Roles: coastal and offshore patrol, search and rescue, marine pollution control, fisheries protection, maritime law enforcement, and anti-smuggling and anti-piracy work.
Exam angle
- Vessel name and number: H-561; first of six ACVs.
- Money and year: ₹387.44 crore contract, 2024.
- Related terms: hovercraft, Buy (Indian), Defence Acquisition Procedure, Aatmanirbhar Bharat.