ICGS Samudra Pratap Commissioned, Strengthening India’s Maritime and Environmental Security
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh commissioned Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Samudra Pratap in Goa on January 05, 2026, marking a significant milestone in India’s maritime capability development and indigenous shipbuilding efforts. Constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) with over 60% indigenous content, the vessel is India’s first indigenously designed Pollution Control Vessel and the largest ship in the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) fleet to date.
The induction of ICGS Samudra Pratap substantially enhances the ICG’s operational capability in marine pollution response, firefighting, maritime safety, coastal patrol, and extended surveillance across India’s maritime zones. While designed primarily for pollution control operations, the vessel integrates multiple advanced capabilities on a single platform, enabling it to address a wide spectrum of contemporary maritime challenges.
Describing the ship as a reflection of India’s mature defence industrial ecosystem, the Raksha Mantri highlighted the Government’s continued focus on increasing indigenous content in naval platforms, with a long-term objective of achieving up to 90% indigenisation. He noted that the vessel demonstrates GSL’s modern and flexible design approach, aligned with current and emerging maritime requirements.
Shri Rajnath Singh commended the Indian Coast Guard for its multi-dimensional role, ranging from marine environmental protection and coastal cleanliness to search and rescue operations and maritime law enforcement. He reiterated that the ICG’s operational readiness sends a clear message that any attempt to undermine India’s maritime security will be met with a strong and proportionate response.
ICGS Samudra Pratap is equipped with advanced pollution detection and response systems, specialised pollution control boats, and state-of-the-art firefighting capabilities. The ship also features a helicopter hangar and aviation support facilities, significantly extending its operational reach and effectiveness. Its design ensures stability and efficiency even in adverse sea conditions, providing a decisive advantage during real-world operations.
Emphasising the importance of marine environmental protection, the Raksha Mantri stated that safeguarding the seas is both a strategic imperative and a moral responsibility, particularly in the context of climate change and global warming. He noted that the vessel’s rapid detection, precise station-keeping, and efficient recovery systems will help mitigate pollution incidents in a timely manner, thereby protecting coral reefs, mangroves, fisheries, and marine biodiversity, and supporting the sustainability of coastal communities and the blue economy.
Reaffirming India’s role as a Responsible Maritime Power, Shri Rajnath Singh underscored the country’s commitment to ensuring peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region. He stated that platforms such as ICGS Samudra Pratap reinforce India’s readiness to uphold maritime safety, secure trade routes, and environmental responsibility on a regional and global scale.
In a notable first for the Indian Coast Guard, two women officers have been appointed to ICGS Samudra Pratap. Acknowledging the ICG’s progress towards an inclusive and gender-neutral work environment, the Raksha Mantri described the development as a matter of pride and a reflection of the Government’s broader vision of empowering women in frontline operational roles.
Highlighting the Government’s commitment to maritime modernisation under the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, Shri Rajnath Singh emphasised the need for the ICG to evolve from a platform-centric force to one that is intelligence-driven and integration-centric. He also stressed the importance of developing specialised career streams in areas such as maritime law enforcement, environmental protection, and maritime cyber security.
With a displacement of 4,170 tonnes, a length of 114.5 metres, speeds exceeding 22 knots, and an endurance of 6,000 nautical miles, ICGS Samudra Pratap is powered by indigenously developed propulsion systems and equipped with state-of-the-art automation, pollution control, and weapon systems. The ship will be based at Kochi under the operational control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (West).
The commissioning of ICGS Samudra Pratap represents a decisive step forward in strengthening India’s maritime security architecture, reinforcing environmental protection capabilities, and advancing the nation’s vision of self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
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