Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Limited has reached a significant milestone with the keel-laying of the third Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) for the Indian Navy. The ceremony took place at GRSE’s Kolkata shipyard, reinforcing the company’s commitment to timely project execution.
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The event was graced by Mr. S.G. Dastidar, Financial Adviser (Defence Services) from the Ministry of Defence, who served as the Chief Guest. Senior GRSE officials, including Chairman and Managing Director Cmde P.R. Hari (Retd.), Director (Finance) R.K. Dash, Director (Shipbuilding) Cdr Shantanu Bose (Retd.), Director (Personnel) DIG Subrato Ghosh (Retd.), and Chief Vigilance Officer Abhishek Ranjan, along with Indian Navy representatives, were also present.
GRSE is constructing four NGOPVs for the Indian Navy, with two already having their keels laid and work on the fourth vessel underway. Leveraging modern modular shipbuilding technology, the shipyard is enhancing efficiency by building different sections simultaneously in blocks before assembling them. Currently, GRSE is working on 40 platforms, including 17 for the Indian Navy. The first of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs) is ready for delivery, while the second ASW SWC and the guided missile frigate INS Himgiri have successfully completed sea trials.
The NGOPVs are designed to be state-of-the-art, measuring approximately 113 meters in length and 14.6 meters in width, with a displacement of around 3,000 tons. These vessels can reach speeds of up to 23 knots and have an endurance of 8,500 nautical miles at 14 knots. With a crew capacity of 24 officers and over 100 sailors, they are built for diverse maritime operations, including coastal defence, maritime interdiction, anti-piracy, convoy escort, special operations support, and humanitarian assistance. Their shallow draught of just 4 meters enhances maneuverability, making them effective for offshore asset protection, search and rescue missions, and fleet maintenance. Additionally, they are equipped to function as hospital ships and provide communications intelligence (COMINT) support.
During the ceremony, Mr. Dastidar commended GRSE for strengthening India’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities, calling the NGOPV one of the most advanced patrol vessels of its kind globally. Cmde P.R. Hari highlighted GRSE’s record turnover in FY 2024-25 and outlined the shipyard’s ambitious delivery plans for the coming year, including Project 17A frigates, survey vessels, and ASW SWCs.
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