GRSE Launches Next-Gen OPV: Crafted for Vigilance, Built for Victory Kolkata, 20 May, 2026:
Yet another glorious chapter was added to the rich annals of Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd on Wednesday, 20 May 26, with the launch of the first Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV). The shipyard is building four NGOPVs for the Navy.
The warship, named Sanghmitra, was launched by Smt. Sarita Vatsayan, wife of Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, PVSM, AVSM, NM, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Indian Navy, amidst rituals & chanting of shlokas. Vice Admiral Vatsayan was the Chief Guest at the occasion.
The name Sanghmitra means friend of the community. It was also the name of the eldest daughter of Emperor Ashoka, who is known to have travelled to Sri Lanka in the 3rd Century BC to spread the teachings of Lord Buddha.
The others present at the occasion were senior officials from GRSE and the Indian Navy.
GRSE has significant experience in the construction of warships and patrol vessels for maritime operations. The shipyard also built the OPV MCGS Barracuda, the first warship exported by India to Mauritius in 2014. GRSE bagged the Defence Minister’s Award of Excellence for in-house Design Effort for that warship. The launch of this ship is on the heels of a successful year for GRSE, having delivered eight ships in a single year, including simultaneous delivery of three warships of different classes – the P17A stealth frigate, a Survey Vessel large and an ASW Shallow water craft – on a single day, 30 Mar 26.
The NGOPVs will be much larger warships than the OPVs built earlier, and have
greater endurance and firepower. These platforms will be about 113 metres long and 14.6 metres wide, with a displacement of 3,000 Tons. The NGOPVs will achieve speeds of up to 23 knots. Their endurance will be 8,500 nautical miles at a speed of 14 knots.
The NGOPVs will play a variety of roles. With a draught requirement of only 4 metres, they would be able to operate in coastal waters, protecting offshore assets, carrying out maritime interdiction, as well as visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations. They will also be part of presence-cum-surveillance and mine warfare missions while having the capability to support special operations.
These warships will also participate in ‘Out of Area’ Contingency Operations, non-combatant evacuation, convoy operations, anti-piracy missions and counter-infiltration operations. Apart from these, they will take on poachers and traffickers, and participate in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as well as search and rescue missions. They will also be able to operate as hospital and COMINT ships apart from providing fleet maintenance support.
Vice Admiral Vatsayan commended GRSE’s role in keeping the Navy supplied with advanced warships. “Over the years, the Indian Navy has evolved into a force that is not only prepared for conflicts but equally committed to shaping the stable maritime environment through cooperation, presence and readiness. In this broader context, the Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel project holds considerable significance. I would like to convey my appreciation to GRSE, which has consistently demonstrated its capability in delivering quality platforms to the Indian Navy, having delivered eight ships in the last financial year. Today's launch adds another important chapter to its legacy,” he said.
Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE, highlighted the technological advances that the shipyard has made adding to enhanced capabilities. “We are kickstarting 2026-27 with the launch of this vessel and this year too will see multiple launches and deliveries”, he said.
About GRSE:
The journey of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd., a Defence Public Sector Undertaking, under the administrative control of Ministry of Defence, and a Schedule ‘A’ Mini Ratna Category I company, dates back to 1884 when it started its journey as a small workshop to repair vessels of River Steam Navigation Company.
The Company was taken over by the Government of India in 1960. GRSE has the distinction of becoming the first shipyard of independent India to build a warship for Indian Navy, the Seaward Defence Boat (SDB) INS Ajay, way back in 1961. GRSE also built the first ever Indian Export Warship “CGS Barracuda” for Govt. of Mauritius, a Fast Patrol Vessel “SCG PS Zoroaster” for Seychelles and an Ocean-Going Cargo & Passenger Ferry Vessel “MV Ma Lisha” for Cooperative Republic of Guyana. GRSE is the only Indian Shipbuilder to have four distinct shipyards as a unique infrastructure advantage. GRSE has built over 800 platforms, including 118 warships for Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and friendly foreign countries - highest number of warships built & delivered by any Indian shipyard till date. From Frigates, Corvettes, Fleet Tankers, Landing Ship Tank, Landing Craft Utility to Survey Vessels, Offshore Patrol Vessels and Fast Attack Craft - the repertoire is rich and varied. In addition to shipbuilding & ship repair, GRSE has also diversified into engineering business with a product profile of pre-fabricated steel bridges, various deck machinery items and assembly, testing & overhauling of marine diesel engines and the manufacture of 30mm Naval Surface Guns. Noteworthy accolades include Defence Minister’s Award 2025 for Excellence in Financial Performance, Defence Minister’s Award 2022 in Designing the most silent ship for Indian Navy for ASW operation, Defence Minister’s Award for Excellence for In-house Design Effort for Offshore Patrol Vessel for Government of Mauritius, CGS Barracuda, Best Performing Defence Shipyard of India for Four Years in a row. GRSE embraced infrastructure modernization over past decades and can undertake concurrent construction of 28 ships at a time. A strong team of highly skilled design engineers and state-of-the-art Next Generation VR Lab & latest software aid in the in-house design capabilities. With proven credentials, the shipyard is on a growth path, reaffirming its motto “In Pursuit of Excellence and Quality in Shipbuilding.
Post a Comment