Indian Coast Guard Inducts First Homegrown Hovercraft into Service
The Indian Coast Guard’s first indigenous hovercraft, H-561, boosts coastal defence. This "Make in India" asset enhances surveillance, rapid response, and operations across challenging coastal terrains and shallow waters.
With the addition of its first domestically produced hovercraft, India has achieved a significant step forward in building its capabilities for coastal security. The new hovercraft is a clear indication that the country has made great strides in domestic defence manufacturing and is achieving success under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The hovercraft, which was manufactured to operate at high speed and to provide flexibility for the type of operations the Coast Guard will perform, will assist the organisation in carrying out patrols in shallow water, wetlands, and challenging coastal regions. This new form of rapid response will allow the Coast Guard to increase its surveillance and interception capabilities throughout its vast coastline. Consequently, India will continue to strengthen its maritime security and its ability to respond to challenges.
India’s First Homegrown Hovercraft
On June 18, 2026, the Indian Coast Guard welcomed its first Air Cushion Vehicle (H-561). H-561 is made in India by Chowgule & Co. Private Ltd., shipbuilding yard, Goa as part of 6 total orders placed with them by the Coast Guard.
What are Air Cushion Vehicles?
Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) are hovercraft that travel on a cushion of air created by fans or lift systems. ACVs can be used in different types of environments such as shallow water; mud flats; sandy beaches, marshy land and any very low support surface.
How does the Indian Coast Guard use ACVs?
ACVs provide the Indian Coast Guard with a fast and efficient means to enhance surveillance of their coastal boundaries and respond quickly to changes in the environment including search and rescue and humanitarian operations along the coast. ACVs are the only option available for operating in littoral zones where conventional vessels are not able to operate due to water depth, tidal variations, and sandbars.
How Does It Strengthen Coastal Defence?
Here are the key benefits of this homegrown hovercraft:
Rapid Response Capability
The indigenous hovercraft allows for quick response to developing threats from the coast of India by enabling the Indian Coast Guard to operate at high speed, allowing for much faster deployment in emergencies than regular vessels do.
Enhanced Coastal Surveillance
A hovercraft will provide the Coast Guard with the ability to monitor shallow water, estuaries and marshy coastal land, which are typically hard for several of the patrol crafts to operate in, allowing for an increase in the Coast Guard's overall maritime domain awareness.
Better Interception of Threats
The hovercraft can effectively intercept suspicious vessels and activities such as smuggling or illegal fishing in the coastal regions that are difficult to access using traditional methods.
Operation in Difficult Terrain
Due to the ability to operate on both water and the near-shore terrain, the hovercraft can operate in areas where traditional vessels are not able to operate as effectively.
Improved Search and Rescue Support
After a major incident or natural disaster on the coast of India, hovercraft will be able to assist with search and rescue by improving the response time and effectiveness of rescue operations.
Conclusion
The introduction of the first indigenous hovercraft into the Indian Coast Guard represents an important advance in re-enforcing the country’s coastal defence capabilities. It improves India’s ability to operate faster, perform more complete surveillance, and have more efficient response capabilities. This induction illustrates how the Indian government is continuing to build its own self-reliant, state-of-the-art maritime security infrastructure.
Ayukta Zisha is an education journalist with over three years of experience in digital media. A graduate of St. Xavier’s College, she holds a Master’s degree in English along with a certification in Digital Marketing from IIT Delhi. Backed by a strong academic foundation in the humanities, she specializes in creating educational and general knowledge content across history, geography, literature, and current affairs. During her tenure at Jagran Josh, she worked extensively on U.S. news and global developments, curating informative and engaging content for a diverse readership. Her subject expertise and ability to simplify complex topics enable her to make complex information accessible to a wide audience. Beyond journalism, Ayukta is an avid reader and a published author.
