Article Posted on : - Apr 25, 2025

Keel laying ceremony for Yard 3040, the fourth (ex-GRSE) Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV). Photo: PIB

NEW DELHI (BNS): The Keel laying ceremony for Yard 3040, the fourth (ex-GRSE) Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV), was held on Thursday at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) in Kolkata.

The ceremony was attended by Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition, as the Chief Guest.

Cmde PR Hari (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director of GRSE, along with other senior officials from the Indian Navy and the shipyard, were present on the ocassion.

This milestone marks a significant step forward in the construction of the NGOPV, further showcasing India's indigenous shipbuilding capabilities, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

The contracts for indigenous design and construction of eleven Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPV) were concluded on 30 Mar 23 with Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL), Goa and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, with seven ships to be constructed by Lead Shipyard GSL and four ships by Follow Shipyard GRSE.

The NGOPVs, with an approximate tonnage of 3000T, are designed for Coastal Defence & Surveillance, Search & Rescue operations, Protection of Offshore Assets and Anti-Piracy missions.

Keel Laying of the vessel marks a significant milestone in the overall project timeline. The eleven NGOPVs are being built in consonance with the nation's vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat ' and ' Make in India' and are poised to augment the Indian Naval maritime prowess.