Kolkata, August 9, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The third of 11 next-generation offshore patrol vessels (NGOPVs) being built for the Indian Navy by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) will be launched in Kolkata on Tuesday, officials said.
The vessel will be the second NGOPV to be launched by GRSE. The shipbuilder launched the first vessel, Sanghmitra, on May 20 this year. GSL, which is constructing seven of the 11 vessels, launched its first NGOPV, Shachi, on March 31.
The upcoming warship will be launched at the GRSE facility by Manika Sadhu, wife of Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition (CWP&A) in the Indian Navy. Vice Admiral Sadhu will be the chief guest at the ceremony.
A senior official said the NGOPV project was progressing according to schedule, with three vessels now moving into the outfitting stage. Deliveries are expected to begin around 2028 and are likely to contribute to the Navy’s target of building a 200-ship fleet.
The NGOPVs are designed to offer enhanced capabilities compared with the Navy’s existing offshore patrol vessels, including improved stealth, greater endurance and more advanced equipment and weapon systems.
The vessels will be around 113 metres long, 14.6 metres wide and have a displacement of approximately 3,000 tonnes. They will be capable of speeds of up to 23 knots and have an endurance of 8,500 nautical miles at 14 knots.
With a draught of around four metres, the vessels will be suited for coastal operations, offshore asset protection, maritime interdiction and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) missions. They will also undertake surveillance, mine warfare, anti-piracy, counter-infiltration and special operations.
The platforms are also being designed for out-of-area contingencies, non-combatant evacuation, convoy protection, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. Their roles will extend to combating poaching and trafficking, while some vessels will have hospital, communications intelligence (COMINT) and fleet-support capabilities.
The Navy is also moving towards next-generation platforms across its future fleet, including next-generation corvettes, frigates, survey vessels and destroyers.
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