Why in the News?
- Recently, the Raksha Mantri commissioned Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Pratap, India’s first indigenously designed Pollution Control Vessel, built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
- This largest ship in ICG’s fleet to enhance India’s environmental response capabilities and bolster coastal patrol & maritime safety.
About ICGS Samudra Pratap
- Name & Significance: Samudra Pratap (Majesty of the Seas) reflects the ICG’s commitment to safe, secure, and clean seas and protection of India’s maritime interests.
- Type: India’s first indigenously designed Pollution Control Vessel.
- Dimensions & Performance:
- Displacement: 4,170 tonnes
- Length: 114.5 metres
- Speed: >22 knots
- Endurance: 6,000 nautical miles
- Propulsion: Two 7,500 kW diesel engines with indigenous controllable pitch propellers.
- Pollution Control Capability:
- Side-sweeping arms, floating booms
- High-capacity skimmers, portable barges
- Onboard pollution control laboratory
- Fire-Fighting & Advanced Systems:
- External Fire-Fighting System (Fi-Fi Class 1)
- Dynamic Positioning System
- Integrated Bridge System
- Integrated Platform Management System
- Automated Power Management System
- Armament:
- 30 mm CRN-91 gun
- Two 12.7 mm stabilised remote-controlled guns
- Supported by modern fire-control systems
Which of the following best reflects the strategic significance of commissioning ICGS Samudra Pratap?
(a) Enhances India’s blue-water nuclear deterrence
(b) Strengthens marine environmental protection and disaster response
(c) Improves India’s ballistic missile defence capability
(d) Expands India’s submarine fleet
Answer: B
