Indigenisation influences operational preparedness: Coast Guard chief

Panaji: Indigenisation is a strategic imperative that directly influences operational preparedness, technological self-reliance, and the overarching architecture of national maritime security, said Indian Coast Guard (ICG) director general Paramesh Sivamani on Friday.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to induct the equipment and systems that are designed, developed, and manufactured in India. Concurrently, we are actively pursuing indigenisation of spare parts and critical components in close partnership with original equipment manufacturers,” he said.


He spoke after inaugurating a manufacturing facility for waterjet propulsion systems that are being installed on coast guard vessels. MJP, a Sweden-based design and manufacturing firm specialising in waterjet propulsion systems for high-speed naval, coast guard, and commercial vessels, opened its first production and testing facility in India. The company picked Goa due to its proximity to Mumbai and Kochi, marking India as its third global venture after the US and South Korea.

“For the ICG, indigenisation is more than a policy directive. It is a strategic imperative that influences operational preparedness,” Sivamani said at the inauguration in Goa.

Sivamani described the facility as a new chapter of collaboration between India and Sweden. MJP supplied waterjets for coast guard interceptor boats since 2010, with over 100 waterjet propulsion systems currently in active service. An additional 42 waterjet propulsion systems are being installed on fast patrol vessels at Mazagon Docks, Mumbai.

Sivamani also visited the Chowgule & Company shipyard to review the manufacturing of six indigenously built air cushion vessels (hovercrafts) for the ICG. The manufacturing of the hovercraft in Goa marks India’s first such project with 50% indigenous content using marine grade aluminium. The first delivery is scheduled for May 2026, boosting the force’s rapid response capabilities.

The ICG chief highlighted the operational benefits of indigenous manufacturing. “Faster availability of spares, reduced dependence on overseas supply chains, and a significant reduction in maintenance time and lifecycle costs. Collectively, these advantages will translate into enhanced operationality of assets,” he said.

Commending Goa’s role in supporting maritime infrastructure, Sivamani said the state govt supported the coast guard “with speed and alacrity.” He noted that Goa is on the path to establishing facilities required to support the coast guard and armed forces.

“We have Goa Shipyard, we have MJP here, and these will surely support our requirements for our ships and our operational requirements to ensure that we are able to patrol and sustain operations in the maritime domain,” Sivamani said.