Kolkata: In a significant milestone showcasing its efficiency and technological prowess, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd laid the keel of the fourth Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) for the Indian Navy on Thursday, April 24, 2025. The ceremony underscores GRSE’s commitment to timely project delivery and indigenous naval capability development.
The Chief Guest, Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, AVSM, NM, CWP&A, Indian Navy, lauded GRSE’s accelerated pace across various naval projects. “GRSE has really ramped up and picked up pace… projects are moving at breakneck speed,” he stated.
Also present at the ceremony were Cmde P R Hari (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, RK Dash, Director (Finance), Cdr Shantanu Bose (Retd), Director (Shipbuilding), DIG Subrato Ghosh (Retd), Director (Personnel), Abhishek Ranjan, CVO, and other senior officials from GRSE and the Indian Navy.
Advanced Modular Construction
The NGOPV keel laying was made possible by modular shipbuilding technology, which allows GRSE to construct ships in blocks that are assembled efficiently. This modern approach has enabled the shipyard to handle 40 platforms simultaneously, including 17 for the Indian Navy.
Capabilities of the NGOPVs
The new-generation OPVs represent a major leap in capability over their predecessors. Each vessel will measure 113 metres in length, with a displacement of 3,000 tons, and reach speeds of up to 23 knots. With an endurance of 8,500 nautical miles at 14 knots, the ships will accommodate 24 officers and over 100 sailors.
Designed for a wide range of roles, the NGOPVs will support:
- Maritime interdiction
- Surveillance and coastal operations
- Anti-piracy and counter-infiltration missions
- Special operations and mine warfare
- Humanitarian aid and disaster relief
- Fleet support and medical assistance
With a draught of just 4 metres, these vessels are versatile enough for both deep-sea and shallow coastal deployments. They are also capable of operating as COMINT platforms and hospital ships when required.
Track Record and Future Outlook
GRSE has an established record of OPV construction and earned the Defence Minister’s Award of Excellence for designing MCGS Barracuda, India’s first warship export to Mauritius in 2014. The shipyard is also nearing the delivery of the first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) and has completed sea trials for INS Himgiri, a state-of-the-art advanced frigate.
Speaking at the event, Cmde P R Hari, CMD, GRSE, emphasized the shipyard’s aspirations for further orders of next-generation platforms and its focus on capacity expansion, diversification, and development of unmanned and niche technology vessels.
The ceremony highlights India’s growing indigenous shipbuilding capacity and GRSE’s pivotal role in supporting maritime security and defence preparedness.
