MoD Signs Contracts with GSL, GRSE and CSL to Acquire NextGen Vessels

The Rs 19,600 Cr contract will help acquire 11 NGOPV, and 6 NGMV for Indian Navy

Padmesh Prabhune

The Ministry of Defence, on March 30, 2023, signed contracts with several reputed Indian shipyards for acquiring eleven ‘Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels’ (NGOPV) and six ‘Next Generation Missile Vessels’ (NCGM) at an overall cost of approx. Rs 19,600 crore.

Out of the total eleven ships, seven will be indigenously designed, developed and manufactured by the Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL), and four by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, at a total cost of Rs 9,781 crores. The delivery of the ships is scheduled to commence from September 2026.

The acquisition of these ships will enable the Indian Navy to maintain its combat capability and meet various operational requirements such as Anti-Piracy, Counter-Infiltration, Anti-Poaching, Anti-Trafficking, Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations, Search and Rescue (SAR), Protection of Offshore Assets. etc.

The contract for acquiring six (NGMVs) with the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is valued at Rs 9,805 crores. The delivery of ships is scheduled to commence from March 2027.

The first vessel is to be delivered in 48 months and the last vessel in 108 months. The NGMVs will be heavily armed war vessels incorporating stealth, high speed and offensive capability. The primary role of the ships would be to provide offensive proficiency against enemy warships, merchantmen and land targets.

These ships will be capable of conducting Maritime Strike Operations, Anti Surface Warfare Operations and would be a potent instrument of sea denial for enemy ships especially at choke points.

Marex Media