17 ships ordered from GSL, GRSE and CSL
The Defence Ministry has signed approx. Rs.19,600 crore contracts with Indian shipyards for acquisition of 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels and six Next Generation Missile Vessels.
The contract, under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, were signed with Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, at a total cost of Rs.9,781 crore.
Of the 11 ships, seven will be indigenously designed, developed & manufactured by GSL and four by GRSE. 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, said the Ministry.
The contract for acquisition of six Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV) was signed with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) at a cost of Rs.9,805 crore.
The delivery of ships is scheduled to commence from March 2027.
The NGMVs would be heavily armed war vessels incorporating stealth, high speed and offensive capability.
The primary role of the ships would be to provide offensive capability against enemy warship, 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, the Defence Ministry said on 30 Mar 2023 on announcing the contracts.
In defensive role, these ships would be employed for Local Naval Defence operations and seaward defence of Offshore Development Area.
The indigenous manufacturing of these vessels will encourage the active participation of Indian shipbuilding and associated industries, including MSMEs.
With the majority of the equipment and systems sourced from indigenous manufacturers, these vessels will be a proud flag bearer of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, the Ministry said. fiinews.com
