Chairman and Managing Director of GRSE, Cmde P R Hari, (Retd), said though the keels of the first two vessels were ceremoniously laid during the day, the work has already begun on all four. The first NGOPV is scheduled for delivery in 44 months, followed by the others at six-month intervals, the GRSE said.

“We are currently working on 43 platforms, including 17 warships for the Indian Navy. These 17 warships include the four NGOPVs. We are also handling eight export orders. These include a warship and two other platforms for Bangladesh. To date, we have delivered 72 warships to the Indian Navy and 36 to the Indian Coast Guard,” he said.

Praising GRSE’s works, Governor CV Ananda Bose, who attended the ceremony, said: “Thanks to efforts by shipbuilders like GRSE, India now matches the capabilities of companies involved in shipbuilding in countries like China, South Korea and Japan… We need to assert that we are capable. We need to assert that we are powerful.”

The NGOPVs will be approximately 113 metres long and 14.6 metres wide, with a displacement of 3,000 tonnes. They will have a top speed of 23 knots and an endurance of 8,500 nautical miles at 14 knots.

“With a draught requirement of only four metres, the vessels would be able to operate in coastal waters, protecting offshore assets, carrying out maritime interdiction, as well as conducting visit, board, search and seizure operations,” said an official. Each vessel will be manned by a crew of 20 officers and over 100 sailors.

“These versatile warships will be capable of performing a wide range of missions, including coastal surveillance, maritime interdiction, VBSS operations, mine warfare, and special operations. They will also be equipped to support humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, search and rescue, and non-combatant evacuation operations,” the official added.