Aadesh class vessels have a length of 50 meters, a beam of 7.6 meters, and a draught of 1.6 meters with a design speed of over 33 knots.[2] They are powered by Rolls-Royce Power Systems-supplied triple type 16V 4000 M90 engines with an output of 2,720 kW (3,648BHP) at 2,100 rpm, coupled with ZF 7600 gearboxes and propelled by triple Rolls-RoyceKamewa 71S3NP water jets.[3][4] This enables the vessels to operate in shallow waters and offers higher speeds and better maneuverability than conventional propellers. The MTU 'Callosum' ship automation system monitors the ship's services that also incorporates fire detection and extinguishing systems. The navigation package was supplied by Northrop Grumman and includes multi-function displays, electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS), autopilot, magnetic compass, and the NAVIGAT 3000 fiber optic gyro-compass.
The vessels are equipped with a long-range gun and modern vessel control, navigation, and communication tools. They are capable of 7 days' continuous deployment at sea without replenishing supplies. These FPVs are small in size when compared to other large vessels that Cochin Shipyard has built. Extensive use of aluminum in the superstructure was made to reduce weight, and Cochin Shipyard has developed special techniques to ensure high-quality welding and fabrication of aluminum structures. All the vessels delivered achieved speeds in excess of the contracted speed during sea trials and surpassed the expectations of the Indian Coast Guard with regard to the performance requirements.
The primary roles of the vessel include fisheries protection and monitoring, patrol within India's exclusive economic zone, coastal patrol, anti-smuggling, anti piracy, and search and rescue operations. The vessels also have a secondary role of providing communication link and escorting convoys during hostilities and wartime.[5]
Construction
Aadesh, the first vessel of the series, was launched on 9 January 2013 by Jayasree Muralidharan, in the presence of her husband, Vice Admiral M P Muralidharan, Director General of the Indian Coast Guard. Aadesh was delivered to the Coast Guard after successful completion of all its trials on 25 September 2013. It has been operated from the Coast Guard station at Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu.[5]
The second vessel, named Abheek, was launched by on 21 March 2013. For the launch, the FPV was placed on specially-designed cradles and transported over the entire length of the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier that was located at the building dock before being lowered into the waters.[6]
The third vessel, Abhinav, was launched on 28 May 2013.[7] The fourth vessel, Abhiraj, was launched on 30 September 2013 and is expected to join the Tuticorin ICG station.[8] The fifth and sixth Fast Patrol Vessels were launched on 2 December 2013 and were named Achook and Agrim in the launching ceremony. Achook was handed over to the Coast Guard on 28 March 2014.[9]
Operational history
On 4 April 2024, the ICGS Amogh (Y-510) responded quickly to save the lives of 27 Bangladeshi fishermen who were stranded at sea on their fishing boat. On April 4 at approximately 11:30 a.m., the ICGS Amogh saw the Bangladeshi fishing boat (BFB) Sagar II drifting inside Indian seas while on patrol near the Indo-Bangladesh International Maritime Border Line (IMBL). ICG ship dispatched a boarding team to look into it. It was discovered that the boat suffered a steering gear malfunction. There were 27 crew members and fisherman on the Sagar II. The Coast Guard technical team, after an inspection, concluded the "completely damaged" rudder could not be repaired mid-sea.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Coast Guard was notified about the situation and the response plan by the Indian Coast Guard Regional Headquarters in Kolkata. BCG dispatched the BCGS Kamaruzzaman to tow BFB. At around 18:45 the same day, the BCGS Kamaruzzaman approached the IMBL. The 27 Bangladeshi fishermen and their boat were turned over to the BCG ship Kamaruzzaman by ICGS Amogh.
On 17 July 2024, Indian Coast Guard carried out a rescue operation of the Indian Fishing Boat (IFB) Aashni. The boat with 11 crew and around 80 nautical miles from Kochi, Kerala faced heavy rain and challenging weather conditions. Due to loss of propulsion and flooding from a hull rupture close to the keel, the vessel was in a serious situation. A Dornier 228 surveillance aircraft of the ICG located the IFB on the night of 16 July 2024. ICGS Saksham, a Samarth-class OPV, was immediately diverted towards its location after receiving an order from the ICG District Headquarters No 4 (Kerala & Mahe). Eventually, ICGS Abhinav, an Aadesh-class patrol vessel, was also deployed aong with HAL Dhruv. The techinical team of ICG assisted in the de-flooding operations and rescued the crew members and the distressed the vessel. After the culmination of the operation, the boat was handed over to the Fisheries Department.[10]
On 25 August 2024, Indian Coast Guard rescued 11 crew members from a sinking merchant vessel MV ITT Puma. The MV was travelling from Kolkata to Port Blair when it sank 90 nautical miles south of Sagar Island due to adverse weather and sea environment. The search and rescue operation was conducted in coordination by ICGS Amogh, ICGS Sarang (a Samar-class OPV) and an ICG Dornier 228 aircraft.[11][12].
On 18th November 2024, ICGS Agrim rescued 7 fishermen,whose boat IFB kaal bhairav had been damaged and sank near the maritime boundary between India and Pakistan. The crew of the fishing boat had been interned aboard the PMSS Nusrat. The ship returned to Okha port later and all fishermen are reported to be in good health conditions.[13]
