India Advances Indigenous Maritime Capability as ICG’s New ACVs Enter Construction Phase

The new-generation ACVs are being developed as highly versatile maritime platforms capable of operating across complex and difficult coastal terrains where conventional vessels face operational limitations.

In a significant boost to India's indigenous maritime defence manufacturing capabilities, the Girder Laying Ceremony for the 4th, 5th and 6th Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) being built for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was held at the Rassaim Yard of Chowgule Shipyard in Goa on May 11, 2026.

The development marks another important milestone in India's growing push toward defence self-reliance under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative, with the advanced ACVs being manufactured using nearly 50 per cent indigenous content. The project reflects India's accelerating efforts to strengthen domestic shipbuilding, maritime security infrastructure, and defence technology ecosystems.

The Indian Coast Guard had signed a contract with Chowgule & Company Private Limited, Goa, on October 24, 2024, for the indigenous fabrication and construction of six state-of-the-art Air Cushion Vehicles. The ongoing construction phase now signals rapid progress in one of the country's important coastal defence modernization programmes.

Strategic Maritime Platforms Designed for Multi-Mission Operations

The new-generation ACVs are being developed as highly versatile maritime platforms capable of operating across complex and difficult coastal terrains where conventional vessels face operational limitations.

According to officials, the advanced hovercraft-style air cushion vehicles will be deployed for a wide range of maritime security operations, including:

• High-speed coastal patrolling,

• Reconnaissance missions,

• Interception and interdiction operations,

• Search and rescue missions,

• Maritime surveillance,

• Assistance to distressed vessels,

• Rapid response deployments in shallow and marshy waters,

• Day and night coastal operations.

The platforms are specifically designed to operate effectively in:

• Shallow coastal regions,

• Marshlands,

• Creeks,

• Mudflats,

• River deltas,

• Estuarine zones,

• Deep-sea operational environments.

Their ability to travel seamlessly over both land and water surfaces provides a major operational advantage for coastal security agencies tasked with monitoring India's vast and geographically diverse coastline.

Major Boost to Coastal Security and Rapid Response Capability

Officials noted that the induction of these modern ACVs will significantly strengthen the Indian Coast Guard's operational mobility and tactical flexibility, particularly in strategically sensitive coastal areas.

India has a coastline extending over 7,500 kilometres, along with numerous estuaries, island territories, shallow-water regions, and busy maritime trade routes. Ensuring continuous surveillance and rapid response across such terrain remains a major operational challenge.

The new air cushion vehicles are expected to enhance:

• Coastal surveillance efficiency,

• Maritime interdiction capability,

• Anti-smuggling operations,

• Anti-infiltration patrols,

• Disaster response readiness,

• Humanitarian assistance operations,

• Maritime law enforcement.

Security experts observe that hovercraft and air cushion technologies are especially valuable in areas where traditional patrol vessels cannot easily maneuver, including mangrove zones, tidal flats, and low-depth coastal waters.

The platforms are also likely to improve operational preparedness against asymmetric maritime threats, illegal trafficking, unauthorized coastal intrusions, and emergency situations during cyclones and natural disasters.

Indigenous Manufacturing Push Under 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'

The ACV programme is being viewed as an important example of India's expanding indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem under the Government's self-reliance agenda.

With 50 per cent indigenous material content, the project is expected to contribute significantly to:

• Domestic shipbuilding capabilities,

• Local component manufacturing,

• Maritime technology development,

• Skilled employment generation,

• Defence industrial supply chains.

India has in recent years intensified efforts to reduce dependence on imported defence platforms while simultaneously boosting local manufacturing under initiatives such as:

• Aatmanirbhar Bharat,

• Make in India,

• Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP),

• Indigenous Defence Production targets.

The Ministry of Defence has increasingly prioritized procurement from Indian shipyards and domestic defence manufacturers, especially for naval and coast guard modernization projects.

Industry observers note that indigenous ACV construction also represents an important technological advancement because hovercraft systems require specialized engineering involving propulsion systems, lightweight structures, marine navigation, and amphibious operational design.

Indian Coast Guard Expanding Maritime Operational Capacity

The Indian Coast Guard has been rapidly modernizing its fleet and operational infrastructure to address evolving maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Over the past decade, the force has expanded its inventory of:

• Offshore Patrol Vessels,

• Fast Patrol Vessels,

• Interceptor Boats,

• Dornier aircraft,

• Advanced Light Helicopters,

• Pollution control vessels,

• Surveillance systems,

• Coastal radar networks.

The induction of advanced ACVs is expected to complement these capabilities by providing faster and more agile coastal response assets.

Experts believe the growing importance of coastal surveillance has become even more critical due to:

• Expanding maritime trade routes,

• Blue economy initiatives,

• Coastal infrastructure development,

• Increasing strategic competition in the Indian Ocean,

• Emerging non-traditional maritime security threats.

Goa Emerging as Key Indigenous Shipbuilding Hub

The project also highlights Goa's growing importance in India's defence shipbuilding ecosystem. Chowgule Shipyard has increasingly emerged as a significant player in indigenous naval and coast guard vessel construction.

Indian shipyards are now participating in a broader national effort to build advanced maritime platforms domestically, reducing reliance on foreign defence suppliers while enhancing long-term strategic autonomy.

Officials associated with the project stated that the ACV programme demonstrates how collaboration between the Indian Coast Guard and domestic shipyards can accelerate indigenous defence innovation and strengthen national maritime preparedness.

Enhancing Strategic Mobility Across India's Coastal Zone

The new air cushion vehicles are expected to provide the Indian Coast Guard with enhanced strategic mobility across India's "vast and dynamic coastal zone," enabling rapid deployment in operationally challenging areas.

Their capability to move at high speeds over multiple terrains makes them particularly effective for:

• Rapid interdiction missions,

• Emergency evacuation operations,

• Coastal reconnaissance,

• Amphibious deployment scenarios,

• Humanitarian assistance during floods and cyclones.

Defence analysts say such platforms could also play a vital role in protecting critical coastal infrastructure, ports, offshore assets, and sensitive maritime zones.

As India continues to strengthen its maritime security architecture amid evolving regional dynamics, indigenous programmes such as the ACV project are increasingly being seen as central to building a technologically advanced, agile, and self-reliant coastal defence force.