Kolkata, Aug 9: The Indian Navy’s next-generation offshore patrol vessel programme will move forward on August 11 with the launch of the third of 11 vessels being built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), marking another step towards expanding and modernising the fleet.
The vessel will be launched at the GRSE facility in Kolkata and will be the second next-generation offshore patrol vessel (NGOPV) launched by the shipbuilder. Manika Sadhu, wife of Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, the Navy’s Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition, will launch the warship. Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu will attend the ceremony as the chief guest.
GRSE launched the first vessel of the project, Sanghmitra, on May 20 this year. GSL launched one of the seven NGOPVs being built by it on March 31, 2026. That vessel was named Shachi.
A senior official in Delhi said the project was progressing according to schedule and that, with three vessels moving towards the outfitting stage, deliveries to the Navy could begin sometime in 2028. The official said the programme would contribute to the Navy’s target of building a 200-ship fleet.
The NGOPVs are designed with greater stealth features, longer endurance and advanced equipment and armaments compared with the offshore patrol vessels currently operated by the Navy. The platforms are intended to undertake a broad range of maritime missions.
The vessels will measure about 113 metres in length and 14.6 metres in width, with a displacement of 3,000 tonnes. They will be capable of reaching speeds of up to 23 knots and will have an endurance of 8,500 nautical miles while travelling at 14 knots.
With a draught requirement of only four metres, the vessels will be capable of operating in coastal waters. Their planned roles include protecting offshore assets, maritime interdiction and visit, board, search and seizure operations. They will also undertake presence-cum-surveillance and mine warfare missions and support special operations.
The vessels are additionally designed for out-of-area contingency operations, non-combatant evacuation, convoy operations, anti-piracy and counter-infiltration missions. Their capabilities will also support action against poachers and traffickers.
The NGOPVs will have roles in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and search and rescue operations. They will also be capable of functioning as hospital and communications intelligence, or COMINT, ships, besides providing fleet maintenance support.
The Navy’s future warship programmes are expected to focus on next-generation platforms, including next-generation corvettes, frigates, survey vessels and destroyers.
