On November 5, 2024, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), a Kolkata-based Defence Public Sector Undertaking, marked a significant milestone in naval engineering with the keel laying ceremony of the first two of four Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) being constructed for the Indian Navy. This ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, alongside senior officials from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Indian Air Force, Indian Army, and GRSE.
The NGOPVs, which represent a new class of larger and more advanced ocean-going patrol vessels, promise to enhance India’s naval capabilities significantly. GRSE officials detailed that these ships will vastly outperform previous models supplied to the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, positioned as the most sophisticated vessels of their kind currently developed for the nation’s maritime security forces.
As Mr. Hari, an official from GRSE, highlighted during the ceremony, the contract for the construction of these ships was signed on March 30, 2023. With production already underway, the vessels whose keels were laid have reportedly reached an advanced stage of development. Each NGOPV will measure approximately 113 meters in length and 14.6 meters in width, with a displacement capacity of 3,000 tons. The ships are expected to achieve speeds of up to 23 knots and possess an impressive operational range of 8,500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 14 knots. The crew complement is designed to include 24 officers and over 100 sailors, ensuring a robust operational capability.
These next-generation warships are designed to undertake a variety of missions, enhancing India’s maritime security framework. Their intended roles will include executing Out of Area Contingency Operations, conducting non-combatant evacuations, convoy operations, anti-piracy initiatives, and counter-infiltration tactics. Additionally, the NGOPVs will also be equipped for anti-poaching efforts, support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, and conduct search and rescue missions. They are further poised to function as hospital ships and for communications intelligence (COMINT) operations, alongside providing essential fleet maintenance support.
During the keel laying ceremony, Governor C.V. Ananda Bose expressed national pride in the progress of the Indian navy, remarking, “This is a proud moment for the entire nation… We are the third largest military power in the world,” as he emphasized India’s growing capabilities in the competitive arena of shipbuilding.
In addition to the NGOPV project, GRSE is involved in a diverse array of projects. Currently, the company is working on twelve additional initiatives, which include constructing 17 more warships for the Indian Navy, one warship for the Government of Bangladesh, and a combination of 13 hybrid and one fully electric ferry for West Bengal. Furthermore, an oceanographic research vessel is being developed for the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Among these twelve projects are also an acoustic research vessel, autonomous platforms for DRDO, two export orders directed at Bangladesh, and five multipurpose vessels commissioned by a German client.
The developments at GRSE underscore India’s commitment to enhancing its maritime capabilities through advanced shipbuilding technology, setting a clear path towards greater self-reliance in the defence sector.
