Coast Guard inducts first of six indigenous hovercraft
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The Indian Coast Guard inducted the first of six indigenous Air Cushion Vehicles built by Chowgule and Company Private Limited in Goa on 18 June 2026. The hovercraft is meant to widen ICG’s maritime response options. The Ministry of Defence contracted Chowgule for the six ACVs.
- Date
- 18 Jun 2026, Goa; Ministry of Defence
- Platform
- Air Cushion Vehicle (hovercraft)
- Builder
- Chowgule & Company Private Limited
- Order
- first of six for the Indian Coast Guard
- Purpose
- broader maritime duties and response capability
Indigenous Coast Guard hovercraft induction: what happened?
Hovercraft can skim mudflats and shallow creeks where boats struggle. An indigenous ACV for the Coast Guard is about covering those thin waters with a Made-in-India hull.
- Induction framed under Aatmanirbhar Bharat and maritime industrial capacity.
- Ceremony attended by senior ICG and industry representatives.
Why ACVs for the Coast Guard?
- They support operations across a wide spectrum of maritime duties where conventional craft are limited, as stated at induction.
Why does indigenous Coast Guard hovercraft induction matter?
- Coastal security: Shallow-water mobility for ICG.
- Industry: Private yard building for the Coast Guard.
What can Prelims ask on indigenous Coast Guard hovercraft induction?
- First of six indigenous ICG ACVs inducted Goa, 18 Jun 2026; builder Chowgule.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-06-18): the first of six indigenous Air Cushion Vehicles built by Chowgule & Company for the Coast Guard was inducted in Goa on 18 June 2026.
- It adds patrol capability in shallow coastal waters.
Quotable data pointThe first of six indigenous Air Cushion Vehicles built by Chowgule & Company for the Coast Guard was inducted in Goa on 18 June 2026.
PIB: Defence: ICG ACV, 18 Jun 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: ACV use.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
The indigenous Air Cushion Vehicle inducted by the Coast Guard in June 2026 was built by
Answer (c) & explanation
PIB (Defence), 18 Jun 2026.
Questions students ask about this
What was inducted in Goa on 18 June 2026?
The first of six indigenous Air Cushion Vehicles for the Indian Coast Guard.
Who built it?
Chowgule and Company Private Limited.
How many ACVs are on order?
Six.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: Defence: ICG ACV, 18 Jun 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending