Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday attended the commissioning ceremony of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship Varaha in Chennai.Varaha is the fourth in the series of seven 98m offshore patrol vessels. The ship has been indigenously designed and built by L&T in accordance with acontract signed with the Defence Ministry.

The name Varaha is taken from the Puranas, the thirdincarnation of Lord Vishnu which took the form of a boar to protect motherearth from the ocean, by lifting her on his tusks.

"I congratulate Indian Coast Guard and L&T shipyardto re-introduce the protective spirit of 'Varaha' back to the sea by commissioningof Varaha. I am sure Varaha will enhance the surveillance and patrollingcapabilities of the Indian Coast Guard," Singh said. He added, "Thetradition of shipbuilding is not new to India, it dates back to Indus valleycivilisation. Strong Navy has been our strength since ancient times. During theChola Empire, the spread of our great culture to East Asia would not havehappened without the support of a strong Navy."

Varaha will add to Coast Guards strength in responding tothreats of maritime terrorism, smuggling and other challenges such as oilspill, drug trafficking, collision and grounding.

It will operate from the port of New Mangalore on the WestCoast covering Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) upto Kanyakumari.

Varaha's vessel is fitted by a 30mm gun and will be fittedwith a 12.7mm gun. It is designed to carry one twin-engine light helicopter andtwin-engine heavy helicopter with night flying capabilities. The ship is alsocapable of carrying limited pollution response equipment to contain oil spillat sea, the Indian Coast Guard said. "The ship is well equipped withhigh-speed boats, medical facilities and modern surveillance systems, whichwould be an enabler towards our International and National obligations ofproviding Search and Rescue cover to Mariners in distress at sea," theDefence Minister said.

Varaha displaces 2,100 tons and is propelled by two (9100Kwengines) which are capable of speeds of 26knots and endurance of 5000 nauticalmiles.

Varaha can stay at sea for 20 days without replenishment.