LRGB Gaurav tested from Su-30 MKI aircraft
Keel Laying ceremony of Yard 3039, the third Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV – ex-GRSE), was held at GRSE Ltd, Kolkata on 11 Apr 25 with Sugata Ghosh Dastidar, IDAS, Financial Advisor (Defence Services) as the Chief Guest. Cmde P R Hari (Retd), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE, and other senior officials from the Indian Navy and the Shipyard were present for the event.
The contracts for indigenous design and construction of eleven NGOPVs were concluded on 30 Mar 2023 with Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, for seven ships to be constructed by Lead Shipyard GSL and four ships by Follow Shipyard GRSE.
The NGOPVs, with an approximate tonnage of 3000T, are designed for Coastal Defence & Surveillance, Search and Rescue operations, Protection of Offshore Assets and Anti-Piracy missions. Keel Laying of these vessels marks a significant milestone in the overall project timeline http://mod.gov.in.
The eleven NGOPVs are being built in consonance with the nation’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India and are poised to augment the Indian Naval maritime prowess, said the Ministry of Defence.
Separately, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted the Release Trials of Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) ‘Gaurav’ between 8-10 April 2025 from the Su-30 MKI aircraft.
During the trials, the weapon was integrated to multiple stations in different warhead configurations, with land target on Island. The trials successfully demonstrated range close to 100 kms with pin-point accuracy.
LRGB ‘Gaurav’ is a 1,000 kg class glide bomb, designed and developed indigenously by Research Centre Imarat, Armament Research and Development Establishment and Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. Senior officials of DRDO and the Indian Air Force (IAF) participated and reviewed these trials https://www.makeinindia.com/home/.
The system has been realised with the support of Development-cum-Production Partners – Adani Defence Systems & Technologies, Bharat Forge and various MSMEs. The trials are paving the way towards induction of the weapon into the IAF. The Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification and Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance contributed towards Certification and Quality Assurance, said the Ministry.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, IAF and industry for successful development trials of ‘Gaurav’. He said the development of LRGB will further enhance the capabilities of the Armed Forces to a great extent. Fiinews.com
