Indian Navy: Keel laid for 2nd and 3rd next-gen OPV

A keel laying ceremony of the second and third next-generation offshore patrol vessels (NGOPV), to be constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the Indian Navy, was held at M/s Yeoman Marine Services on March 23, 2025.

As disclosed, the contracts for indigenous design and construction of eleven NGOPVs were concluded in March 2023 between the Ministry of Defence and GSL, Goa, and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, with seven ships to be constructed by lead shipyard GSL and four ships by Follow Shipyard GRSE.

Main hull blocks of Yard 1281 and Yard 1282 are being fabricated at the premises of YMSPL, Ratnagiri as part of GSL’s build strategy.

The NGOPVs, with an approximate tonnage of 3,000 tons, are designed for coastal defense and surveillance, search & rescue operations, protection of offshore assets, and anti-piracy missions.

The keel laying of these vessels marks a significant milestone in the overall project timeline. The NGOPVs are being built in consonance with the nation’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ and are poised to augment the Indian Navy’s maritime prowess, the navy stated.

To remind, the Indian Navy recently held a keel-laying ceremony for the second of five fleet support ships (FSS) at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli.