Kolkata: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, has launched ‘Shreyas’, the third of four Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) being built for the Indian Navy. The launch marks another milestone for the shipyard, which has launched three vessels under the programme in less than five months.
The launch of ‘Shreyas’ follows the launch of the second vessel, ‘Shruti’, on August 11, 2026, and the first vessel, ‘Sanghmitra’, on May 20, 2026. The progress highlights GRSE’s pace of execution in delivering four advanced patrol vessels under the Indian Navy’s 11-ship NGOPV programme.
The ceremony took place in Kolkata on October 10, 2026, with Reyman Kochhar, wife of Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, PVSM, AVSM, NM, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, formally launching the vessel amid traditional rituals and the chanting of Vedic shlokas. Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar attended the event as the Chief Guest, alongside senior officials from GRSE and the Indian Navy.
GRSE Achieves Three NGOPV Launches in Less Than Five Months
The launch of ‘Shreyas’ reflects the steady progress made by GRSE in executing the Indian Navy’s next-generation offshore patrol vessel programme.
The three vessels launched so far are:
- Sanghmitra: Launched on May 20, 2026.
- Shruti: Launched on August 11, 2026.
- Shreyas: Launched on October 10, 2026.
With one more NGOPV remaining to be launched under GRSE’s four-vessel order, the shipyard continues to advance its contribution to the Indian Navy’s fleet modernisation programme.
The Sanskrit name ‘Shreyas’ signifies auspiciousness and the path of the highest good, reflecting the significance attached to the vessel.
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Vice Chief of Naval Staff Praises GRSE’s Shipbuilding Capabilities
Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar congratulated GRSE on launching three NGOPVs in approximately five months and commended the shipyard’s pace of execution and indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.
He highlighted GRSE’s achievements as a Navratna shipyard that has delivered more than 100 ships and continues to expand its international presence. He also expressed confidence that ‘Shreyas’ would be completed successfully, upholding the shipyard’s commitment to professionalism and quality.
Vice Admiral Kochhar emphasised that maintaining a sustained maritime presence has become increasingly important amid evolving global security challenges and the growing need for capable naval platforms.
He noted that conflicts originating on land are increasingly extending into the maritime domain, exposing major sea lines of communication, offshore infrastructure and resource-rich maritime regions to heightened risks.
Referring to the continuing crises in West Asia and the Red Sea, he highlighted the disruptions affecting commercial shipping and critical maritime infrastructure. He stressed that India, as a maritime nation with a long coastline, a large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and significant economic and energy interests dependent on the sea, needs to maintain a credible and persistent naval presence.
He added that NGOPVs would strengthen the Indian Navy’s endurance and operational flexibility across a broad range of missions.
Shreyas NGOPV: Key Specifications and Capabilities
The Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels are larger and more capable than earlier offshore patrol vessels built by GRSE. They are designed to provide enhanced endurance, firepower and operational versatility for a wide range of maritime security requirements.
The key specifications of the NGOPVs include:
- Length: Approximately 113 metres.
- Width: Approximately 14.6 metres.
- Displacement: Approximately 3,000 tonnes.
- Maximum speed: Up to 23 knots.
- Endurance: Approximately 8,500 nautical miles.
- Cruising speed: 14 knots.
These capabilities are intended to enable extended deployments and support sustained operations across India’s coastal and offshore maritime areas.
Multiple Roles in Maritime Security and Naval Operations
The NGOPVs are designed to perform a diverse range of missions, strengthening the Indian Navy’s ability to protect maritime interests and respond to emerging security challenges.
Their planned operational roles include:
- Coastal and offshore protection: Safeguarding offshore assets and critical maritime infrastructure.
- Maritime surveillance and interdiction: Monitoring maritime areas and supporting security operations.
- Anti-piracy and counter-infiltration: Responding to threats to maritime security.
- VBSS operations: Conducting visit, board, search and seizure missions.
- Mine warfare: Supporting operations involving maritime mine threats.
- Special operations: Undertaking specialised missions as required.
- Out of Area Contingency Operations: Supporting deployments beyond India’s immediate maritime neighbourhood.
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR): Assisting during emergencies and natural disasters.
- Search and rescue: Supporting maritime rescue operations.
- Additional operational support: Undertaking hospital, communications intelligence (COMINT) and fleet maintenance-related roles.
The combination of endurance, speed and mission flexibility is expected to make the NGOPVs valuable assets for sustained maritime deployments.
GRSE Expands Warship Construction and Defence Manufacturing
GRSE Chairman and Managing Director Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.), highlighted the shipyard’s transformation into a vibrant shipbuilding organisation with a strong project execution record. He pointed to the series of ship launches and deliveries as evidence of the shipyard’s progress.
GRSE is currently building nine warships for the Indian Navy, comprising:
- One advanced guided-missile frigate under Project 17A.
- Four Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWCs).
- Four Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels.
In addition to these warships, the shipyard is building 32 other platforms, including 13 ships for export customers.
GRSE is also in the advanced stages of concluding a contract for the construction of five Next Generation Corvettes for the Indian Navy. If finalised, the project would further expand the shipyard’s contribution to India’s naval modernisation efforts.
NGOPV Programme Supports India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Vision
The launch of ‘Shreyas’ reflects the continuing expansion of indigenous warship construction in India and supports the broader objective of developing a self-reliant defence manufacturing ecosystem.Vice Admiral Kochhar highlighted that each ship launched under the programme represents progress towards a stronger and more self-reliant Indian Navy, aligned with the government’s vision of an Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat.
India currently has 42 ships under construction across various domestic shipyards, alongside multiple major shipbuilding projects and fast interceptor craft programmes at different stages of execution. The NGOPVs are expected to contribute to the Indian Navy’s ability to sustain maritime operations, protect strategic interests and respond to a broad spectrum of security and humanitarian requirements.
About (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. With more than six decades of shipbuilding experience, GRSE is one of India’s leading warship manufacturers and has delivered 118 warships to the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and friendly foreign nations. The company also builds commercial vessels and export platforms, contributing to India’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities and defence manufacturing sector.
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