**Summary:**
On July 30, 2025, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) commenced construction of its first indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) at Chowgule Company Pvt. Ltd. in Goa. The project, based on Griffon Hoverwork designs, aims to enhance India's coastal security capabilities through the development of ACVs tailored for patrolling, interdiction, and search and rescue missions. The construction follows a contract signed with the Ministry of Defence on October 24, 2024, for a total of six ACVs. Inspector General Sudhir Sahni, Deputy Director General Materiel Maintenance, ICG, attended the Girder Laying and Commencement of Erection ceremony. The initiative aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign, emphasizing operational self-reliance.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Defence: The government ministry responsible for defence.
Indian Coast Guard (ICG): The maritime law enforcement and search and rescue agency of India.
Chowgule Shipyard: The shipyard where the indigenous hovercraft construction began.
Chowgule Company Pvt. Ltd., Goa: The location in Goa where the Air Cushion Vehicle construction ceremony took place.
Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV): The type of hovercraft being indigenously built for the Indian Coast Guard.
Griffon Hoverwork: The company whose designs the hovercraft are based on.
Sudhir Sahni: Inspector General of the Indian Coast Guard.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Government of India initiative for self-reliance.
Ministry of Defence
Indigenous Hovercraft Construction for ICG Begins
at Chowgule Shipyard
Posted On: 30 JUL 2025 12:33PM by PIB Delhi
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has kicked off construction of its first indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicle
(ACV) with the Girder Laying and Commencement of Erection ceremony at Chowgule & Company Pvt. Ltd.
in Goa, on July 30, 2025. The hovercraft, based on proven Griffon Hoverwork designs, are being built with
Indian expertise to suit varied coastal security operations. Once inducted, the ACVs will provide enhanced
speed, tactical flexibility, and shallow-water operability, enabling swift response for patrolling, interdiction,
and search and rescue missions across India's vast maritime frontier.
The ceremony which marks a major step towards strengthening India’s maritime response capabilities was
held in the presence of Deputy Director General (Materiel & Maintenance), ICG Inspector General Sudhir
Sahni. This follows a contract signed with the Ministry of Defence on October 24, 2024 for six ACVs,
underscoring ICG’s drive towards operational self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.***
SR/KB
(Release ID: 2150049)