Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissions Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Pratap, India’s first indigenously designed Pollution Control Vessel built by GSL, on Monday
| Photo Credit:
ANI
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday suggested that the Indian Coast Guard should evolve itself from a “reactionary force” to a “proactive force” and assured that the government will assist the maritime force to achieve that.
“Whether it is the acquisition of new vessels, leasing of land to establish new units or matters related to manpower, we are striving to modernise the ICG in all aspects,” Singh said at a function in Goa following the commissioning of Samudra Gupta, India’s first indigenously designed pollution control vessel, into the Coast Guard.
This is the first of two vessels being sourced from state-owned Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
To tackle present-day challenges, the Defence Minister also underlined the importance of the ICG to move from a platform-centric force to one that is intelligence-driven and integration-centric. He also pressed on the need to develop specialised career streams within the ICG in areas such as maritime law enforcement, environmental protection, and maritime cyber security.
He pointed out that, in recent years, the ICG established itself as a regional standard-setter, but now the time has come to take this role towards global leadership. “In the coming times, we will have to shape norms in the field of maritime governance, strengthen capacity-building initiatives, and promote cooperative frameworks. The ICG will have to elevate its operational doctrines, institutional practices, and technological innovations to such benchmarks that their best practices will be followed worldwide,” he said.
This is the largest ship in ICG’s fleet to enhance India’s environmental response capabilities and bolster coastal patrol and maritime safety. In another first, a frontline Coast Guard ship will witness the appointment of women officers.
With over 60 per cent indigenous content, ICGS Samudra Pratap will significantly enhance the ICG’s operational capability in pollution control, fire-fighting, maritime safety, and environmental protection, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. It will also strengthen its ability to conduct extended surveillance and response missions across India’s vast maritime zones.
“ICGS Samudra Pratap has been specially designed for pollution control, but its role is not limited to this alone. As multiple capabilities have been integrated into a single platform, the ship will prove to be effective in coastal patrol and strengthen maritime safety. It is a product of the modern approach adopted by the GSL to enhance flexibility and readiness to deal with present-day maritime challenges,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in his address at the ship commissioning function.
He also stated that consistent efforts are being made to enhance the indigenous content in ships to 90 per cent.
The ship is equipped with advanced pollution detection systems, dedicated pollution response boats, and modern firefighting capabilities. It also features a helicopter hangar and aviation support facilities, which can significantly increase its reach and effectiveness.
Published on January 5, 2026
