India Begins Building First Indigenous Hovercraft for Coast Guard at Goa Shipyard

Taking a major step toward defence self-sufficiency, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has begun building its first domestically produced Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) at the Chowgule & Company Pvt. Ltd. shipyard in Goa. The girder laying and structure assembly ceremony held on Wednesday marks a significant milestone in a contract signed with the Ministry of Defence on October 24, 2024, for the construction of six such hovercraft.

The ACV is being developed using established Griffon Hoverwork designs, adapted with Indian engineering for enhanced coastal security roles. Once deployed, these hovercraft will equip the ICG with greater speed, operational agility, and the ability to operate effectively in shallow waters. These features will strengthen capabilities in patrolling, interdiction, and search-and-rescue missions across India’s vast maritime frontiers.

This project supports the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative, which promotes local defence manufacturing. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently emphasized this shift, highlighting notable growth in the sector.

According to Singh, India’s defence output has hit a record Rs 1.46 lakh crore, with the private sector contributing more than Rs 32,000 crore. Additionally, defence exports have reached a historic Rs 24,000 crore in the 2024–25 period.

Calling Make in India essential for national security and economic growth, the minister cited the success of locally developed systems during Operation Sindoor as proof of India’s growing defence strength. He also revealed that the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program will, for the first time, include private firms in a large-scale defence venture alongside public enterprises — a move aimed at strengthening the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem.