Indian Coast Guard Ship Atal Launched | FPV by Goa Shipyard under Atmanirbhar Bharat

Indian Coast Guard ship Atal launched by Goa Shipyard on July 29, 2025. This indigenously built fast patrol vessel boosts maritime security and supports Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence.

Indian Coast Guard’s New Fast Patrol Vessel “Atal” Launched at Goa Shipyard

Launch of the Sixth Indigenous FPV “Atal”
On 29 July 2025, Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) ceremoniously launched the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Atal, the sixth vessel in a series of eight indigenously designed Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) being constructed for India’s maritime security force The launch event was held at Vasco da Gama, Goa, attended by senior dignitaries, including Smt. Shilpa Agarwal, and Rozy Agarwal, IDAS (PIFA), from Coast Guard Headquarters

Technical Specifications & Design Features
Designed in‑house by GSL, Atal measures 52 m in length, with an 8 m beam and a displacement around 320 tonnes Notably, it incorporates over 60% indigenous content, including a controllable‑pitch propeller (CPP) propulsion system—a first for India’s FPV fleet—enhancing maneuverability and fuel efficiency .

Operational Capabilities & Missions
Atal is designed for a wide range of Coast Guard duties: patrolling India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), conducting anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations, performing fisheries protection, island security, and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions . It also has a secondary role in providing communication links and convoy escort during wartime .

Self‑Reliance and Strategic Significance
The launch of Atal aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, showcasing India’s growing capability in defence manufacturing and indigenization . The project has spurred economic activity in MSMEs and local industries, strengthening the domestic industrial base.

Expanding Coast Guard Fleet
The ICG currently operates around 151 ships and 76 aircraft, with plans to expand to 200 ships and 100 aircraft by 2030 to bolster maritime security across its 4.6 million-sq-km Search‑and‑Rescue Region . With Atal, the fleet continues to be modernized with advanced, homegrown vessels.

Indian Coast Guard ship Atal

B) Why This News Is Important

Strategic Enhancement of Maritime Security
The launch of ICGS Atal marks a major upgrade in Coast Guard capabilities—enhancing India’s ability to patrol and secure its coastlines and EEZ more effectively. This is critical for national security, especially in light of increasing maritime threats like smuggling, piracy, and environmental emergencies.

Boost to Self‑Reliance in Defence
By deploying vessels with over 60% indigenous content, this initiative strengthens India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. It reduces dependency on imports and supports the government’s wider objective under the Atmanirbhar Bharat framework.

Operational Benefits for Future Missions
With its design optimized for anti-smuggling, SAR, fisheries protection, and island territory surveillance, Atal significantly improves response time and operational flexibility in varying maritime zones. Its advanced propulsion system and navigation capabilities ensure better performance in varied sea conditions.

Relevance to Competitive Exams
For aspirants preparing for civil and defence exams, this news provides a current example of India’s defence indigenization, the role and expansion of the Coast Guard, and the strategic importance of maritime security. Questions in exams may test knowledge on recent indigenous ship launches, policy initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat, or Coast Guard expansion targets.

C) Historical Context

Evolution of India’s Coast Guard Fleet
Established in 1977 with just seven vessels, the Indian Coast Guard has grown into a substantial force today, operating around 151 ships and 76 aircraft, with ambitious expansion plans underway .

GSL’s FPV Construction Programme
In March 2022, the Indian Ministry of Defence commissioned GSL to build eight Adamya‑class FPVs under a ₹473 crore contract. Construction began in 2023 and the first vessel, Adamya, was commissioned in June 2025. Subsequent vessels—including Akshar, Amulya, Akshay, and Achal—were launched between late 2024 and mid‑2025 . Atal is the sixth FPV in this indigenous programme.

Indigenisation Push under Atmanirbhar Bharat
The initiative reflects India’s broader shift toward self-reliant defence manufacturing, focusing on Design, Development and Manufacturing (DDM) capabilities. The FPV project is a flagship example, showcasing over 60% domestic content, collaboration with MSMEs, and alignment with national defence preparedness goals .

D) Key Takeaways from Atal Launch

Key Takeaways from ICGS Atal Launch

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is ICGS Atal?
ICGS Atal is a Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the Indian Coast Guard. It is the sixth vessel in a series of eight under a defence contract.

2. What is the length and displacement of the ICGS Atal?
The vessel is 52 metres long with a displacement of approximately 320 tonnes.

3. What makes ICGS Atal technologically significant?
Atal is the first FPV to be equipped with an indigenously developed controllable-pitch propeller (CPP) system, enhancing fuel efficiency and agility.

4. What is the role of Fast Patrol Vessels in the Indian Coast Guard?
FPVs are tasked with patrolling, anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, fisheries protection, search and rescue, and island security operations.

5. How does this launch contribute to the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative?
With over 60% indigenous content, ICGS Atal supports India’s self-reliance in defence and promotes local industry participation, including MSMEs.

6. Which shipyard is building the series of 8 FPVs for the Coast Guard?
The vessels are being built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).

7. How many ships and aircraft are planned in the Indian Coast Guard by 2030?
The Indian Coast Guard plans to operate 200 ships and 100 aircraft by the year 2030.

8. When was the ICGS Atal launched?
It was launched on 29 July 2025 at Goa Shipyard in Vasco da Gama, Goa.

9. What is the name of the first vessel in this FPV series?
The first ship of the series is named ICGS Adamya, commissioned in June 2025.

10. Why is this news important for competitive exams?
It relates to India’s maritime security, defence indigenization, and strategic capability building, topics often asked in exams like UPSC, CDS, CAPF, and State PSCs.