The country’s north-eastern sea boarder got a major fillip on Wednesday with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) inducting ‘Varad’ into the fleet at Paradip.
The ship has joined as the third Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) class and would be deployed extensively off Odisha coast for EEZ surveillance and other duties to safeguard maritime interests. The Varad is the fifth in the series of seven OPVs indigenously designed and constructed by the Larsen and Toubro Ltd. The 98-metre ship is fitted with state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment, sensors and machinery. It is equipped with 30 mm and 12.7 mm guns with FDS for enhancing the fighting efficiency, among others. The ship is designed to carry one twin engine helicopter and four high speed boats for swift boarding operations, search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol operations. It can attain a maximum speed of 26 knots, with an endurance of 5,000 nautical miles.
The ‘Varad’ is commanded by Commandant Pintu Bag and has a complement of 11 officers and 91 crew members.