Indian Coast Guard Inducts First Indigenous Air Cushion Vehicle

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The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) officially inducted the first of six indigenously constructed Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) during a ceremony in Goa.

An Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV), commonly known as a hovercraft, is an amphibious craft designed to travel smoothly over multiple surfaces including water, mudflats, sandbars, and shallow beaches.
It operates by generating a high-pressure cushion of air beneath its hull, which is contained by a flexible rubber skirt, allowing the vessel to float completely above the surface and eliminate water resistance.
The high-tech vessel is being constructed indigenously by Chowgule & Company Private Limited.
The induction of these ACVs aims to enhance the Indian Coast Guard’s rapid-response capability for coastal security, shallow-water surveillance, search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement operations.

Designed with zero draft, the hovercraft can transition seamlessly between deep sea channels, tidal mudflats, and sandy shores where traditional hulls would run aground.
This delivery marks the first of six planned indigenous ACVs to be sequentially constructed and integrated into the ICG fleet.
It is built using lightweight, marine-grade materials paired with a durable rubber skirt system to preserve structural integrity while skimming over debris or rough coastal terrain.
It is equipped with specialized marine radars, night-vision thermal imaging, and secure communication systems to enable round-the-clock operations in dense fog or zero-visibility conditions.
It is engineered with a versatile deck layout capable of carrying armed boarding parties, medical response teams, or rapid-intervention equipment.

ACVs can efficiently patrol marshes, creeks, and mudflats like Kutch and Sundarbans, improving surveillance and response against smuggling and illegal activities.
Their ability to move from sea to shore enables rapid rescue operations and aid delivery during cyclones, floods, and maritime emergencies.