New Delhi, 18 Jun: In a significant milestone towards strengthening Bharatiya Tatrakshak’s capabilities and advancing the national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the first indigenously constructed Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV), H-561, was inducted into service on 18 June 2026 at Chowgule & Company Private Limited, Goa.
The induction ceremony was held at the shipyard’s Rassaim facility in the presence of senior officials of Bharatiya Tatrakshak and representatives from the shipbuilding industry. The occasion marks the successful culmination of sustained efforts by multiple stakeholders towards enhancing indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities and fostering self-reliance in critical maritime platforms.
The ACV has been designed and constructed in Bharat and reflects the growing strength of the nation’s maritime industrial base. The project represents an important step in promoting indigenous innovation, strengthening domestic shipbuilding expertise, and supporting the Government’s commitment towards building a resilient and self-sufficient defence ecosystem.
The induction of the ACV into Bharatiya Tatrakshak fleet underscores the organisation’s continued focus on modernisation and capability enhancement in support of its mandate to safeguard the nation’s maritime interests. The vessel will contribute to the operational effectiveness across a broad spectrum of maritime duties and reinforce its ability to respond to emerging challenges in the maritime domain.
The occasion also highlights the close collaboration between Bharatiya Tatrakshak, Raksha Mantralay, and Bharat’s industry in delivering advanced indigenous solutions aligned with national priorities. Such initiatives serve as important catalysts for strengthening the country’s defence manufacturing capabilities and furthering the vision of self-reliance in the maritime sector.
The induction of ACV H-561 marks another noteworthy achievement in Bharat’s journey towards indigenous capability development and reflects the collective commitment of all stakeholders towards building a modern, capable, and future-ready maritime force.
