
Indian Coast Guard has received ICGS Kanaklata, made by one of the India’s premier warship builders Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd in Kolkata recently. ICGS Kanaklata Barua is the fifth and final ship in the series of Fast Patrol Vessels (FPV), built by GRSE This is the 105 th vessel delivered by the Miniratna Category 1 Defence PSU shipyard.
According to a press release, the handover was done at GRSE’s Fitting Out Unit in Kolkata. The Protocol of Delivery and Acceptance was signed between Rear Admiral VK Saxena, (Retd.) who is the Chairman and Managing Director of GRSE and Commanding Officer of the vessel, Comdt (JG) Subhash Kapoor.

ICGS Kanaklata is named after freedom fighter Kanaklata Barua of Assam. Known as Birbala and Shaheed, Kanaklata got martyrdom at the age of 17 years. She was shot dead in Assam’s Gohpur on 20th September 1942 while participating in the movement for India’s freedom from British empire.

GRSE claims that the Fast Patrol Vessels have been entirely designed by GRSE’s Central Design Office and it can achieve speeds exceeding 34 knots with an endurance of more than 1500 nautical miles. These fuel-efficient and powerful platforms are well suited for operations like patrolling, anti-smuggling, anti-poaching and rescue. They are fitted with state-of-the-art Main Engines with advanced control systems, water jet units and an ‘Integrated Bridge System’ integrating all Communication and Navigation Systems.
Moreover, such ships are also fitted with 40/60 Gun as Main Armament and have improved habitability features with fully air-conditioned modular accommodation for 35 personnel. GRSE had earlier made deliveries of FPVs ICGS Priyadarshini, ICGS Annie Besant and ICGS Amrit Kaur in this series.

“Originally built at the Shipyard’s Rajabagan Unit, to meet its commitment to the Indian Coast Guard, GRSE has shifted the vessel’s location so that final work on the ship prior to delivery including balance fitting out, readiness of ship systems and setting to work of equipment/ systems could be completed by undertaking work at the FOJ Unit in compliance with Ministry of Home Affairs and West Bengal Government Guidelines,” said a release.
Interestingly the Shipyard has also overcome the constraints posed by Super Cyclone “Amphan” for achieving this milestone.