Keel Laying Ceremony for First Two Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels Held at GRSE, Kolkata

Kolkata: The Keel Laying ceremony for Yard 3037 and 3038, marking the beginning of construction for the first two Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs), took place today at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) in Kolkata. Presiding over the ceremony was the Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal, Dr. CV Ananda Bose, alongside senior officials from the Indian Navy and GRSE.

The NGOPVs represent a key milestone in India’s ongoing commitment to bolstering maritime security through indigenous shipbuilding. The vessels, with an approximate tonnage of 3,000 tons, are designed to enhance Coastal Defence and Surveillance, perform Search and Rescue operations, protect offshore assets, and conduct Anti-Piracy missions. They reflect the nation’s push towards a self-reliant defense sector in line with the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives.

The contracts for designing and constructing these vessels were signed in March 2023 between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and two leading Indian shipbuilders: Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), tasked with building seven ships, and GRSE, responsible for four.

“The keel laying of these vessels is yet another step towards the Indian Navy’s goal of a robust, indigenously-built fleet,” said an official. The NGOPVs are set to play a vital role in securing India’s maritime interests and reinforcing the country’s coastal security framework.

With construction underway, the NGOPVs will further strengthen India’s offshore patrol capabilities and contribute to the country’s maritime strategic footprint.