ICGS Ajit Reaches Okha, Adding Strength to Gujarat’s Coast
Indian Coast Guard Ship Ajit Reaches Okha, Adding to Maritime Security Along Gujarat Coast
The Indian Coast Guard has stationed its newly commissioned Fast Patrol Vessel, ICGS Ajit, at Okha in Gujarat following its arrival on November 3, 2026. The vessel’s deployment will support maritime surveillance, coastal patrols and emergency response along Gujarat’s coastline.
A welcome ceremony was held at Okha to mark the ship’s arrival. Representatives of the state administration, senior Indian Coast Guard officers, Coast Guard personnel and other distinguished guests attended the event.
ICGS Ajit was commissioned on October 9, 2026, at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) in Goa. Its arrival at Okha marks the next stage in its operational deployment with the Indian Coast Guard in the north-western maritime region.
The vessel is designed to carry out patrol and security duties at sea. It has modern navigation, communication and surveillance equipment to help its crew monitor maritime activity and respond to situations requiring Coast Guard assistance.
Gujarat’s long coastline makes maritime security an important responsibility for the authorities. Fishing activity, commercial shipping, port operations and offshore installations all require regular monitoring. The presence of another patrol vessel at Okha will add to the Coast Guard’s ability to carry out these duties.
The ship measures 51.43 metres in length and 8 metres in width. It has a displacement of 330 tonnes and a draught of 2.5 metres. Its propulsion system uses two marine diesel engines connected to controllable pitch propellers (CPP). This system allows the propeller blades to adjust their angle to suit operating conditions, helping the vessel manage its movement at sea.
According to information released by the Ministry of Defence, ICGS Ajit can reach speeds of more than 27 knots and has an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles. Its machinery control system helps the crew monitor and manage the ship’s equipment. The vessel will be operated by 41 personnel, comprising six officers and 35 sailors.
Its duties will cover several areas of maritime law enforcement. These include checking fishing activity, monitoring India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), preventing smuggling and piracy, and carrying out search and rescue missions. The vessel will also help protect offshore installations and assist people facing emergencies at sea.
The Exclusive Economic Zone is the sea area extending up to 200 nautical miles from a country’s coast, subject to international maritime law. A coastal country has special rights to explore and use the natural resources in this zone. Regular patrols help prevent illegal fishing and other activities that could affect these rights.
ICGS Ajit belongs to a series of eight Fast Patrol Vessels being built by Goa Shipyard Limited for the Indian Coast Guard. It is the seventh vessel in the series, while ICGS Aparajit is the eighth. Both ships were launched at Goa Shipyard Limited on October 24, 2025.
The project forms part of India’s wider effort to build more defence vessels within the country. Goa Shipyard Limited, a defence public sector undertaking, has built ships for the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard over several decades. Its work includes patrol vessels and other specialised ships used for maritime operations.
The Ministry of Defence stated that more than 65 per cent of the material and components used in ICGS Ajit are indigenous. The vessel was formally handed over to the Indian Coast Guard on August 25, 2026, before its commissioning in October. Its construction also supports the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme, which aims to increase domestic manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported defence equipment.
The arrival at Okha also needs to be viewed in the wider setting of India’s coastal security arrangements. Following the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, the country made changes to its maritime security system. The Indian Coast Guard was given additional responsibility for coastal security in territorial waters in February 2009. It also became responsible for coordinating coastal security work between central and state agencies.
The Coast Guard operates a Coastal Surveillance Network with radar stations, Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment, day and night cameras and weather sensors. These installations help authorities monitor vessel movements and identify unusual activity along the coast. The network was established at 46 locations along India’s coastline and islands, with further installations planned under its second phase.
Fishing communities also have an important place in this security arrangement. The Coast Guard regularly interacts with fishermen and coastal residents to improve awareness of suspicious activity and safety procedures. It also checks fishing boats, identity documents and registration papers during patrol operations. Fishermen who spend long hours at sea can help authorities report unusual movements or incidents.
For Gujarat, these arrangements carry particular importance because the state’s coastline supports fishing, trade, port activity and offshore industries. Okha provides a base from which Coast Guard personnel can conduct patrols in the surrounding waters. The addition of ICGS Ajit gives the local unit another vessel for routine monitoring and emergency duties.
The ship’s deployment will also support the protection of people working at sea. Fishing boats can face difficult weather, engine failures and other emergencies far from shore. A patrol vessel equipped for search and rescue can help locate vessels in distress and provide assistance until further support arrives.
With ICGS Ajit now at Okha, the Indian Coast Guard has added another locally built patrol vessel to its north-western operations. Its work will form part of the continuing effort to monitor Gujarat’s coastal waters, protect fishing activity and respond to threats and emergencies in the Arabian Sea.
