On Friday the keel laying ceremony of India’s first next generation offshore patrol vessels (NGOPVs) was held at Goa Shipyard Ltd.
The ceremony comes over a year after the Indian Ministry of Defense finalized contracts for 11 NGOPVs, which are considered a significant milestone in Indian navy’s pursuit towards indigenous shipbuilding.
Of the 11 vessels, seven will be built by GSL and the other four by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
The contracts for indigenous design and construction of eleven next generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPV) were concluded on March 30, 2023.
“These ships will enable Indian Navy to maintain its combat capability to protect the economic and geopolitical interests of the nation in the Indian ocean region,” said India’s Navy spokesperson.
In addition, the NGOPVs will be utilised for performing missions such as anti-piracy, coastal defence and surveillance, search and rescue and protection of offshore assets.
The ceremony was presided by Vice Adm. B Siva Kumar, controller warship production and acquisition in presence of Shri B K Upadhyay, chairman and managing director, GSL and other senior officials from Indian navy and GSL.
The navy believes the NGOPVs are a “significant milestone in India’s ambition to support indigenous shipbuilding.”
