Norwegian company Kongsberg Maritime has signed a contract to supply 18 large Kamewa waterjets for the Indian Navy’s Next-Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) program.
This contract marks Kongsberg Maritime’s ‘largest’ single waterjet order to date. According to the company, it signals a strong return to large waterjet manufacturing after a relatively quiet period over the past decade.
The NGMV fleet is being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited and will play a critical role in India’s maritime defense strategy.
“We are pleased to collaborate with Kongsberg Maritime for the supply of the waterjet propulsion system for the Naval project currently under construction at CSL for the Indian Navy. Kongsberg Maritime has been a valued and reliable partner to CSL across several commercial projects in the past, and the association has been marked by strong technical cooperation and mutual confidence,” a spokesperson for Cochin Shipyard Limited said.
“This is a milestone project for Kongsberg Maritime and a testament to the trust placed in our waterjet technology for demanding naval applications. Our Kamewa waterjets will deliver the speed, agility, and reliability required for these advanced missile vessels,” Anders Valkeinen, Vice President, High-Speed Craft at Kongsberg Maritime, added.
“We value our long-standing relationship with the Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard and are committed to supporting India’s naval ambitions. This contract underlines our dedication to growing our presence in India and delivering world-class technology for critical defence programmes,” Anette Holte , Country Manager – India at Kongsberg Maritime, commented.
Delivery of the waterjets will align with the NGMV construction schedule at Cochin Shipyard.
To remind, the steel-cutting ceremony for India’s first next-generation missile vessel was held in December 2024. The ships will be high-speed vessels, armed with surface-to-surface missiles, anti-missile defense systems, and air surveillance and fire control radars. The primary role of the ships would be to provide offensive capability against enemy warships, merchantmen, and land targets.