• Vikram, the first of a series of seven Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), was launched.
• The long-range ship was built by Larsen and Toubro.

What are OPVs?

• OPVs are long-range surface ships capable of coastal and offshore patrolling, policing maritime zones, control & surveillance, anti-smuggling & anti-piracy operations with limited wartime roles.
• It is the country’s first-ever such defence craft to be built in a private shipyard (L&T).
• It is likely to be inducted into the Indian Coast Guard in April 2018.

Source:TH