Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd. has officially entered the era of "Next Generation" warship construction with the keel laying of two Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) for the Indian Navy.
The ceremony, held on Tuesday, was graced by the presence of Dr. C V Ananda Bose, Governor of West Bengal, along with Cmde P R Hari (IN Retd), Chairman and Managing Director of GRSE, and senior officials from the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Army.
This milestone signifies a leap forward in India's indigenous shipbuilding capabilities. GRSE, renowned for its expertise in constructing Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), has previously delivered numerous OPVs to the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, including the OPV CGS Barracuda, India's first warship export to Mauritius in 2014, which earned GRSE the Defence Minister's Award of Excellence.
The NGOPVs represent a significant advancement over their predecessors, boasting enhanced size, endurance, and firepower. These formidable vessels will measure approximately 113 meters in length and 14.6 meters in width, with a displacement of 3,000 tons. Capable of achieving speeds up to 23 knots, they possess an impressive endurance of 8,500 nautical miles at 14 knots, accommodating a crew of 24 officers and over 100 sailors.
Designed for versatility, the NGOPVs will undertake a wide range of roles, including coastal security, protection of offshore assets, maritime interdiction, visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations, surveillance, mine warfare, and special operations support. Their shallow draught of 4 meters enables them to operate effectively in coastal waters.
Furthermore, these warships are equipped for "Out of Area" Contingency Operations, non-combatant evacuation, convoy operations, anti-piracy missions, counter-infiltration operations, anti-poaching and trafficking efforts, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, search and rescue missions, and can even function as hospital and COMINT ships, providing comprehensive fleet support.
Dr. C V Ananda Bose lauded GRSE's achievement, expressing pride in India's emergence as a global shipbuilding power. He attributed this success to India's strategic vision and action, drawing parallels with historical accomplishments.
Cmde P R Hari emphasized GRSE's robust performance, stating, "We are currently constructing 43 marine platforms, including warships, specialized research vessels, autonomous platforms, and green energy vessels. With our current order book and execution strategy, we are confident of maintaining our technology-driven growth."
