Griffon-GRSE 8000 TD-Class Hovercraft

Griffon/Grse 8000 TD class is a series of hovercraft designed by M/s Griffon Hovercraft Ltd, Southampton, England and jointly built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata and Griffon for the Indian Coast Guard.

Design
The Hovercraft's hull are made of light weight marine grade aluminium alloy. They are powered by two 588 KW radiator cooled MTU Diesel Engines, with 2.6 m variable pitch propellers and have 1.25 m skirt to enable the craft of the series to sprint speed of 53.5 knots with high speed patrolling capacity in coastal shallow waters, marshy areas, creeks as well as deep seas. The craft are also fitted also with a 12.7 mm gun. The crafts are intended to be used for search and rescue operation, assistance to ships and craft in distress and interruption and interdiction of offending vessels day and night.

Order
The Indian Coast Guard acquired six 8000TDs in 2001. Two of the Griffon 8000TD(M)s were manufactured at GHL’s boatyard in Southampton England, and four were assembled from completely knocked-down kits (CKD’s) by GRSE in Calcutta, India. In 2010, Griffon Hoverwork won another £34 million contract to supply the Indian Coast Guard with twelve 8000TD hovercrafts.

Specifications

 * Displacement : 27 tonnes
 * Length : 21.15 meter
 * Beam : 11.3 meter
 * Speed : 42 Knots
 * Armament : one 12.7 mm MG
 * Power : 2 MTU 12V183 TB32 Diesels
 * Propulsion : 2 Ducted CP aircrew props, 1600 bhp
 * Range : 365/42
 * Crew : 4 plus 80 troops.
 * Fuel : 2000 Liters