- The exercise aimed to test and validate the preparedness of various stakeholders in combating oil spills in sea.
- What? ICG Conducted RPREX-25
- Where? Off the Coast of Mumbai (Maharashtra)
- Objective: To check the preparedness of all stakeholders in combating oil spills
- ICG Signed MoU: With L&T Precision Engineering & Systems
- Purpose: Procurement of 06 RLHTS to be installed on indigenously built OPVs
About RPREX-25:
Approach: The exercise followed a two-phase approach where an Initial Planning Conference (IPC) was held on December 18, 2025, which included technical lectures, and a tabletop exercise to coordinate strategy.
- During the 2nd phase, a full-scale sea exercise was conducted to test hardware, personnel and communication in real-time.
Assets Deployed: The ICG deployed a specialised Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) and two additional vessels equipped with advanced skimming and containment systems to practice oil spill recovery.
- Apart from ICG vessels, the Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA) and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) also deployed their OSR vessels and other assets.
ICG Signed Deal with L&T for Procurement of 06 RLHTS:
In December 2025, ICG signed an agreement with L&T Precision Engineering & Systems, a subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), for the procurement of 06 Rail-Less Helo Traversing Systems (RLHTS) to be installed on indigenously developed Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs).
Key Functions: RLHTS are advanced naval deck systems that enable the movement of helicopters between the flight deck and hangar without fixed deck rails.
- These systems use winches, cables, and advanced sensors to safely haul, secure, guide and position the aircraft, even in rough areas, offering greater flexibility.
- It is compatible with helicopters equipped with a probe and weighing up to 2.5 tonnes, ensuring broad operational verstality.
Significance: The procurement of RLHTS is expected to enhance safer helicopter operations which will further ensure reliability and flexibility in challenging maritime environments.
About Indian Coast Guard (ICG):
Director-General (DG)- Paramesh Sivamani
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 1977
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