Kolkata: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Defence, has signed a contract worth approximately ₹32,000 crore with the Indian Navy for the construction of five Next Generation Corvettes (NGCs).
The contract was signed in New Delhi on November 2 by Dinesh Kumar, IAS, Joint Secretary and Additional Member (Shipbuilding), Ministry of Defence, and Cdr Shantanu Bose (Retd), Director (Shipbuilding), GRSE.
The signing ceremony was attended by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, GRSE Chairman and Managing Director Cmde PR Hari (Retd), and other senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Indian Navy and GRSE.
GRSE emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) for the prestigious project. The contract marks a significant milestone in India’s indigenous warship-building programme and is expected to strengthen the country’s maritime defence capabilities while supporting the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.
Building on its experience in constructing guided-missile and anti-submarine warfare corvettes, GRSE will develop the next-generation warships with enhanced operational capabilities, advanced sensors and sophisticated weapons systems.
Next Generation Corvettes: Key Specifications and Capabilities
The five Next Generation Corvettes will be designed as advanced multi-role frontline combat platforms capable of undertaking a wide range of maritime missions.
The key specifications of the warships include:
- Length: 127 metres
- Beam: 17.6 metres
- Deadweight tonnage: 4,950 tonnes
- Maximum speed: 26 knots
- Endurance: 14 days at sea without replenishment
- Crew capacity: 11 officers and 139 sailors
- Propulsion system: Combined Diesel and Gas Turbine–Cross-Connect (CODAG-CC)
- Propellers: Two Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP)
The warships will feature an advanced CODAG-CC propulsion arrangement designed to meet the operational requirements of modern naval combat vessels. They will also be built in accordance with the classification requirements of a Naval Headquarters-approved classification society.
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Advanced Weapons and Sensors to Strengthen Combat Capabilities
The Next Generation Corvettes will be equipped with a comprehensive range of advanced weapons, sensors and navigation systems to support different naval operations.
Their proposed weapons package will include:
- Medium Range Anti-Ship Missiles
- Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM)
- 324 mm torpedo tubes
- OTO Melara 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) with the latest upgrade
- AK-630 Close-In Weapon System (CIWS)
- 12.7 mm Stabilised Remote-Controlled Guns (SRCGs)
The stabilised remote-controlled guns will be integrated with an Electro-Optic-based Fire Control System (EOFCS) to enhance operational capabilities.
The sensor suite will include an Electro-Optical Infrared Search and Track (EOIRST) system and a Multi-Function Surveillance, Track and Guidance Radar (MFSTAR). These advanced systems will support surveillance, tracking and other operational requirements.
The warships will also have helicopter-operating capabilities, providing greater flexibility during maritime operations.
Multiple Maritime Missions: Anti-Submarine Warfare to Missile Defence
The Next Generation Corvettes are being designed to undertake a broad spectrum of naval missions. Their multi-role capabilities will allow the Indian Navy to deploy them across different maritime security operations.
The key operational roles will include:
- Offensive ship-to-ship and ship-to-surface missile attacks.
- Anti-missile defence operations.
- Anti-submarine warfare.
- Escort duties for naval and other vessels.
- Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO), including Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS).
- Local naval defence operations.
These capabilities will make the vessels versatile frontline combat platforms for strengthening India’s maritime security and naval preparedness.
GRSE’s Existing Warship Projects and Order Book
The ₹32,000-crore contract adds to GRSE’s ongoing shipbuilding programme. The shipyard is currently constructing nine warships for the Indian Navy, including:
- One advanced guided-missile frigate under Project 17A.
- Four Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWCs).
- Four Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs).
In addition to these nine warships, GRSE is executing orders for 36 other platforms, including 13 vessels for export.
The latest contract further strengthens the company’s position as a major contributor to India’s indigenous naval shipbuilding ecosystem.
GRSE’s Contribution to India’s Indigenous Defence Manufacturing
Over the past six decades, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers has established itself as one of India’s leading warship-building companies. The Kolkata-based defence PSU has delivered 118 warships to the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and friendly foreign nations.
With extensive experience in warship design and construction, GRSE continues to play an important role in strengthening India’s maritime defence preparedness. The new ₹32,000-crore contract is another major step towards expanding indigenous defence manufacturing and advancing the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
About Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE)
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) is a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Headquartered in Kolkata, the company specialises in shipbuilding and engineering, with capabilities spanning defence vessels and commercial ships. Through this ONGC contract, GRSE is expanding its presence in specialised offshore support vessels and strengthening its role in India’s maritime and offshore energy sectors.
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