JULY 22: In a significant stride toward maritime security and self-reliance, the keel of the first Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was laid at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai, on July 22, 2025. The vessel, designated Yard 16401, is the first of six such advanced ships being built under a contract awarded on December 20, 2023.
The 117-meter-long NGOPV will boast a range of 5,000 nautical miles and will be capable of achieving speeds up to 23 knots. With a complement of 11 officers and 110 personnel, the vessel is designed for endurance, high-speed operations, and extensive surveillance missions in India’s vast maritime domain.
These ships represent a major technological leap, incorporating cutting-edge features such as AI-driven predictive maintenance systems, Remote Piloted Drones for enhanced surveillance, an Integrated Bridge System (IBS), and an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS). The combination of these technologies ensures greater operational efficiency, situational awareness, and mission readiness for the Indian Coast Guard.
Presiding over the keel-laying ceremony was Deputy Inspector General RH Nandodkar, Chief Staff Officer (Technical), ICG Regional Headquarters (North West). Also present were A Vinod, Executive Director (Ship Building), MDL, along with senior officials from the Indian Coast Guard and MDL. The ceremony marks a crucial milestone in the construction of these next-generation vessels.
The NGOPVs are being developed entirely under the Buy (Indian-IDDM – Indigenous Design, Development and Manufacture) category, highlighting the Government of India’s commitment to promoting domestic capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. By ensuring that the design, development, and production are fully indigenous, the project aligns with the nation’s strategic goals of self-reliance and defense modernization.
These vessels will significantly enhance the Indian Coast Guard’s ability to conduct a range of operations including coastal patrol, maritime surveillance, anti-smuggling missions, and search and rescue. With construction underway, the NGOPVs are set to become a powerful addition to India’s maritime security apparatus in the coming years.
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