Mumbai – Marking a significant step in strengthening India’s maritime security grid, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) laid the keel for its first Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) in Mumbai today. This milestone sets the course for a new class of indigenous vessels designed to patrol vast oceanic stretches with cutting-edge technology and heightened endurance.
Building the Future of Coastal Vigilance
Designated as Yard 16401, this is the first of six NGOPVs under construction at MDL. The vessel is a 117-meter-long maritime platform that blends endurance with innovation. It will offer a formidable operational range of 5,000 nautical miles and can accommodate a complement of 11 officers and 110 personnel. With a top speed of 23 knots, the ship is engineered to respond swiftly to security threats, surveillance needs, and humanitarian missions.
The NGOPVs are being built under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, reinforcing the vision of a self-reliant India under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The contract for the six-ship series was signed on December 20, 2023, making today’s ceremony a tangible step in translating that agreement into strategic maritime capability.
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A Fusion of Modernity and Indigenous Excellence
What sets this new line of patrol vessels apart is their integration of advanced technologies. The NGOPVs will feature AI-enabled predictive maintenance systems, remote piloted drones for aerial surveillance, an Integrated Bridge System (IBS) for unified navigation and control, and an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) to optimise machinery operations.
These enhancements are designed to reduce crew workload, boost mission efficiency, and ensure real-time system diagnostics—making them not just patrol vessels, but smart, autonomous-ready platforms. The keel-laying was presided over by Deputy Inspector General RH Nandodkar, Chief Staff Officer (Tech), ICG Regional Headquarters (North West). He was joined by A Vinod, Executive Director (Ship Building) at MDL, alongside other senior officials from the Indian Coast Guard and MDL.
Their presence underscored the collaborative synergy between the defence sector and Indian shipbuilders—an alliance pivotal to sustaining and advancing the nation’s maritime strength.
Coastal Command, Reimagined
Once commissioned, these NGOPVs will serve as long-range sentinels—patrolling India’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), conducting anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations, supporting search and rescue (SAR) efforts, and ensuring the security of key maritime assets. Their deployment will significantly extend the Indian Coast Guard’s reach and responsiveness in the Indian Ocean Region.
With the NGOPVs being entirely built in India, this project also reflects a growing momentum in domestic defence production. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, already known for its contribution to submarine and warship construction, brings its robust expertise into the domain of next-gen patrol platforms.
By pairing proven craftsmanship with advanced defence tech, the keel-laying of Yard 16401 is more than just the start of a vessel—it signals a new era in India’s maritime self-reliance.
About Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd
MDL, headquartered in Mazagaon, Mumbai, is a premier defence public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence. The shipyard specializes in the construction of warships, submarines, and a range of offshore platforms and vessels. MDL plays a pivotal role in advancing India’s naval capabilities and supports the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative through its indigenous shipbuilding efforts.
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