Indian Navy's Strike Capabilities Gets A Boost As MOD Signs Contract Worth 19,600 Crore For Next Generation Patrol And Missile Vessels

In a boost to the Indian Navy’s strike capabilities, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a deal to buy eleven Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPV) and six Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) at a cost of Rs 19,600 crore.

The contract for eleven NGOPVs worth Rs 9,781 crore was signed between Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and Garden Reach Shipyard Limited (GRSE) under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.

Under the contract, seven of the NGOPVs will be manufactured by GSL and the rest four will be manufactured by Kolkata-based GRSE.

These NGOPVs will increase the Navy’s various operational capabilities such as Anti-Piracy, Counter-Infiltration, Anti-Poaching, Anti-Trafficking, Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations, Search and Rescue (SAR), Protection of Offshore Assets etc.

Another contract worth Rs 9,805 crore, for six Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) was also signed with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and will generate employment of 45 lakh man-days.

The first vessels will be delivered by March 2027 and will enhance the Navy’s Maritime Strike, and Anti Surface Warfare capabilities and will act as a potent instrument of sea denial for enemy ships.

In defensive roles, these vessels will be employed for Local Naval Defence operations and seaward defence of the Offshore Development Area.

These contracts will encourage the participation of MSMEs in the Indian Defence sector in line with the government’s policy of Atmanirbharta or Self-reliant India.