Indian shipbuilding company Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) has laid the keel of the fourth next-generation offshore patrol vessel (NGOPV).
GRSE is building four NGOPVs for the Indian Navy, and the keel-laying ceremony took place on April 24, 2025.
This keel laying has been possible as GRSE has adopted the advanced modular shipbuilding technology. This allows ships to be built in blocks that are then brought together.
The NGOPVs are advanced vessels larger than the previous patrol ships. These platforms will be about 113 meters long and 14.6 meters wide, with a displacement of 3,000 tons. The NGOPVs will achieve speeds of up to 23 knots. Their endurance will be 8,500 nautical miles at a speed of 14 knots. The crew will comprise 24 officers and over 100 sailors.
The units will perform a variety of roles. With a draft requirement of 4 meters, they would be able to operate in coastal waters, protecting offshore assets, carrying out maritime interdiction, as well as visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations.
They will also be part of presence-cum-surveillance missions and mine warfare while having the capability to support special operations.
Furthermore, these warships will participate in ‘out of area’ contingency operations, non-combatant evacuation, convoy operations, anti-piracy missions and counter-infiltration operations. Apart from these, the ships will take on poachers and traffickers and participate in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as well as search and rescue missions.
GRSE is currently building 40 platforms. Of these, 17 are for the Indian Navy. The first in a series of eight anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW SWCs), being built by the shipyard for the navy, is ready for delivery. The INS Himgiri, first in a series of three advanced frigates and the second ASW SWC have successfully completed their contractor sea trials.
Recently, the company also held a keel-laying ceremony for the third next-generation OPV.