Indian Coast Guard ship Rajratan, the fifth of a series of eight inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) being built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata, was commissioned by Vice Admiral M.P. Muralidharan, Director General, Indian Coast Guard, in the presence of Inspector General K.C. Pandey, PTM, TM, Commander, Coast Guard Region (Northeast), and other senior dignitaries of the Central and state government.

The 50-metre-long indigenous IPV displaces 300 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 34 knots, with an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles at an economical speed of 16 knots. Equipped with state-ofthe-art weaponry and advanced communication and navigational equipment, it makes an ideal platform for undertaking multifarious close-coast missions such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue, and medical evacuation. The special features of the ship include an integrated bridge management system (IBMS), integrated machinery control system (IMCS) and an integrated gun mount with indigenous fire control system (FCS).

In his address during the commissioning ceremony, Vice Admiral Muralidharan dwelt upon the criticality of capacity building towards tackling emergent maritime challenges. He reiterated the need for continuous vigil along the nation’s maritime frontiers to preserve and protect our maritime interests. He further stated that several farreaching initiatives towards augmentation of manpower and force levels were under way, that would provide the requisite fillip to the Coast Guard’s capabilities.

The ship is commanded by Commandant (JG) C.S. Joshi, TM and has a complement of five officers and 30 other ranks. Post commissioning, ICGS Rajratan would be based at Porbandar under the administrative and operational control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (Northwest).