Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) H-561

Source: News on Air

Context

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) inducted the first of six indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs), named H-561, at the Chowgule Shipyard, Rassaim, Goa, on 18 June 2026. The hovercraft was constructed by Chowgule & Company Private Limited under a ₹387.44 crore contract signed with the Ministry of Defence on 24 October 2024 under the “Buy (Indian)” category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure. The technology is based on proven Griffon Hoverwork (UK) designs licensed for Indian manufacturing, with more than 50 per cent indigenous components. The vessel has a cruising speed of 52 knots (4 knots above ICG requirement), can carry 42 personnel plus an 8-tonne payload, and has an operational endurance of 9 hours. The remaining 5 vessels will be delivered every 3 months, with Chowgule maintaining all vessels for 5 years post-delivery. The induction is being projected as a significant milestone for Aatmanirbhar Bharat in maritime defence manufacturing.

The Induction

• Location: Chowgule Shipyard, Rassaim, Goa.
• Vessel name: H-561.
• Service: Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
• Builder: Chowgule & Company Private Limited, Goa.
• Technology partner: Griffon Marine Ltd / Griffon Hoverwork (UK) — licensed design.
• Indigenous components: More than 50 per cent.

What is an Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV)?

• Also called: Hovercraft.
• An amphibious craft designed to travel smoothly over multiple surfaces:
  • Water.
  • Mudflats.
  • Sandbars.
  • Shallow beaches.
  • Land.
  • Ice.
  • Marshes.

Key Features

Amphibious All-Terrain Manoeuvrability

• Zero draft design.
• Seamless transition between deep sea, tidal mudflats, sandy shores.
• Where traditional hulls would run aground.

Six-Vessel Contract Fleet

• Total order: 6 ACVs.
• Sequentially constructed and integrated into the ICG fleet.
• First delivery: June 2026.

Advanced Hull and Material Design

• Lightweight, marine-grade materials.
• Durable rubber skirt system.
• Preserves structural integrity while skimming over debris or rough coastal terrain.

Modern Navigation and Communication Suite

• Specialised marine radars.
• Night-vision thermal imaging.
• Secure communication systems.
• Enables round-the-clock operations in dense fog or zero-visibility conditions.

About the Indian Coast Guard (ICG)

• Established: 18 August 1978 under the Coast Guard Act, 1978.
• Headquartered: New Delhi.
• Director General: DG Paramesh Sivamani (since 2024).
• Under: Ministry of Defence.
• Roles:
  • Coastal and offshore patrolling.
  • Search and rescue (SAR).
  • Marine pollution control.
  • Fisheries protection.
  • Maritime law enforcement.
  • Anti-smuggling, anti-piracy.

Practice MCQs

Q1. With reference to the first indigenous Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) inducted into the Indian Coast Guard, consider the following statements:

1. The ACV H-561 was inducted on 18 June 2026 at Goa.
2. It was built by Chowgule & Company Private Limited.
3. It is the first of six ACVs being constructed indigenously.
4. The ACV was imported directly from the United Kingdom.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; the ACV was built INDIGENOUSLY in Goa under licensed Griffon Hoverwork design with more than 50 per cent indigenous components.)

Q2. With reference to the contract for the six ACVs, consider the following statements:

1. The contract was signed on 24 October 2024 between the Ministry of Defence and Chowgule & Company.
2. The contract value is ₹387.44 crore.
3. It falls under the “Buy (Indian)” category of Defence Acquisition Procedure.
4. Chowgule will maintain the vessels for 10 years post-delivery.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; Chowgule will maintain the vessels for 5 years post-delivery, NOT 10 years.)

Q3. With reference to the specifications of the ACV, consider the following statements:

1. It has a cruising speed of 52 knots, 4 knots above ICG requirement.
2. It can carry up to 42 personnel and an 8-tonne payload.
3. Operational endurance is up to 9 hours.
4. The hovercraft can move only on water, not on land or ice.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; the hovercraft is AMPHIBIOUS and can move over water, land, mud, ice, marshes, and beaches.)

Q4. With reference to how an ACV works, consider the following statements:

1. It generates a high-pressure cushion of air beneath its hull.
2. The cushion is contained by a flexible rubber skirt.
3. It floats completely above the surface, eliminating water resistance.
4. It is propelled solely by ocean currents, not by engines.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; ACVs are propelled by engines (typically diesel turbines or gas turbines) driving fans, NOT by ocean currents.)

Q5. With reference to the significance of ACVs for the ICG, consider the following statements:

1. ACVs can patrol marshes, creeks, and mudflats like Kutch and Sundarbans.
2. They enable rapid rescue operations during cyclones and floods.
3. They can move from sea to shore, ideal for HADR operations.
4. The Indian Coast Guard was established in 1978 under the Coast Guard Act, 1978.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

Q6. With reference to the technology and Aatmanirbhar Bharat aspects, consider the following statements:

1. The ACV is based on Griffon Hoverwork (UK) BHT 150 design.
2. More than 50 per cent of the hovercraft’s components are of Indian origin.
3. The induction is under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
4. India did not have any hovercraft in service before this induction.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; India has had earlier hovercraft (H-181 to H-188) from Griffon Hoverwork, but these new 6 are indigenously built.)

Answer Key

1. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the ACV was indigenously built.
2. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the maintenance period is 5 years.
3. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because hovercraft is amphibious.
4. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because hovercraft are engine-propelled.
5. (d), All four statements are correct.
6. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because India had earlier hovercraft.