On Monday, the keel-laying ceremony for Yard 1283 marked the start of production for the fourth Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) at Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL). This crucial step signifies progress in enhancing the Indian Navy’s maritime capabilities.
A total of eleven NGOPVs are slated for delivery to the Indian Navy under a ₹6,200 crorecontract signed on March 30, 2023. GSL is responsible for designing and building seven of these vessels, while the remaining four will be constructed by the State-owned Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata.
Each NGOPV measures 114 meters in length, 14.6 meters in beam, and has a displacement of 2,700 tonnes. They are equipped with dual diesel propulsion systems featuring controllable pitch propellers and boast cutting-edge indigenous weapons and sensor suites to meet the Navy’s operational requirements.
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS), presided over the keel-laying ceremony. He was joined by Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, CMD of GSL, along with other senior officials from the Indian Navy and the shipyard, as confirmed by official statements from both entities.
During his interaction with the leadership and project teams, Vice Admiral Swaminathan expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of execution of these critical naval projects. He commended GSL’s “relentless pursuit of excellence amid demanding timelines,” according to a statement from GSL.
These NGOPVs are designed for a range of vital tasks, such as coastal defence and surveillance, search and rescue operations, protection of offshore assets, and anti-piracy missions. Their construction aligns with India’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) and ‘Make in India’, and they are set to significantly bolster the Indian Navy’s maritime prowess.