Indian Navy Commissions New OPV into Fleet

INS ‘SUMEDHA’, indigenously designed in-house Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV), built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), was inducted into service today.

The vessel was formally commissioned into the Indian Navy by VAdm Anil Chopra, PVSM, AVSM, FO C-IN-C East at an impressive ceremony held at Goa Shipyard Ltd.

Speaking on the occasion, VAdm Anil Chopra said: “the timely delivery of Sumedha is truly a testimony to the Navy’s twin pronged commitment to indigenous design and ship construction”.

Congratulating Goa Shipyard for meeting the timelines of the ship’s delivery to the Indian Navy, as well as for the quality of work, VAdm Chopra said: “the warship-building process has been recognized over the world as one of the most challenging feats of engineering, from design through hull construction, outfitting, integration of diverse equipment, setting to work and finally, the delivery and acceptance trials. INS Sumedha, is a fine example of this complex process”.

This 105 meter vessel is the third in the series of four new class of NOPVs designed and built by Goa Shipyard Ltd for the Indian Navy. INS ‘SUMEDHA’ is the 200th vessel built by GSL and marks yet another significant milestone in the nation’s journey towards indigenisation and self reliance.
INS ‘SUMEDHA’ will help meet the increasing requirement of the Indian Navy for undertaking ocean surveillance and surface warfare operations in order to prevent infiltration and transgression of maritime sovereignty. This vessel is suitable for monitoring sea lanes of communication, defence of offshore oil installations and other critical offshore national assets. Besides, the vessel can be deployed for escorting high value ships and fleet support operations.

RAdm (Retd) Shekhar Mital, NM, CMD GSL said: “keeping into view Maritime Capability Perspective Plan of the Navy and Coast Guard, GSL has embarked upon a massive modernisation program aimed at creating new facilities and infrastructure, while augmenting existing ones. We have spent Rs. 300 crore from our own reserves on account of anticipated MCMV project. further modernization Phase III, at cost of Rs. 400 crore is progressing rapidly and is expected to be completed by July 2015. This will enable us to deliver quality ships/MCMV project at a competitive cost, with shorter construction periods and will increase our production capacity and product mix”.

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Press Release, March 7, 2014, 2014; Image: Goa Shipyard