 being built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), was successfully conducted){kind=link}
APRIL 25: The keel laying ceremony for Yard 3040, the fourth Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) being built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), was successfully conducted, in Kolkata. This vessel is part of the Indian Navy’s ongoing initiative to bolster maritime security through indigenously designed and constructed platforms.
The event marked a major milestone in the NGOPV project and was graced by the presence of Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition, who served as the Chief Guest. The ceremony also saw participation from several dignitaries, including Cmde PR Hari (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director of GRSE, along with senior officers from the Indian Navy and representatives of the shipyard.
The keel laying of Yard 3040 underscores India’s growing capabilities in indigenous shipbuilding and defense manufacturing. It is a crucial stage in the ship construction process, symbolizing the formal commencement of the vessel’s physical assembly.
The contract for the design and construction of a total of eleven Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels was signed on March 30, 2023. Under this agreement, seven ships are being constructed by Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL), the lead shipyard, while the remaining four—including Yard 3040—are being built by GRSE as the follow shipyard.
These NGOPVs, each with an approximate displacement of 3,000 tonnes, are being developed for a wide range of missions. Their primary roles will include coastal defense and surveillance, search and rescue operations, protection of offshore assets, and counter-piracy efforts. These versatile vessels are designed to strengthen the Indian Navy’s presence across maritime zones and enhance its operational readiness.
The NGOPV project is in alignment with the Government of India’s ambitious ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) and ‘Make in India’ initiatives. The program highlights the nation’s commitment to achieving greater self-sufficiency in defense production and promoting advanced indigenous technologies.
With the keel of Yard 3040 now laid, GRSE continues to demonstrate its pivotal role in the Indian Navy’s shipbuilding roadmap. The vessel, once completed, will serve as a critical asset to India’s maritime force, enhancing its ability to safeguard national interests at sea.