GSL lays keel for 4th NGOPV; marks major milestone in indigenous naval shipbuilding

New Delhi: Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), a leading Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, has achieved a key milestone in India’s maritime defence programme with the keel laying of Yard 1283 — the fourth vessel in the prestigious Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) series for the Indian Navy.

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The ceremony, held on Monday, was graced by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, AVSM, VSM, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS), who laid the keel in keeping with naval tradition. The NGOPV project is being executed under a Rs 6,200 crore contract awarded to GSL on March 30, 2023, for the in-house design and construction of seven advanced patrol vessels.

Each NGOPV will be 114 metres long and 14.6 metres wide, with a displacement of 2,700 tonnes. The vessels will feature dual diesel propulsion systems with Controllable Pitch Propellers and be equipped with cutting-edge, indigenously developed weapons and sensor suites, tailored to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Navy.

Vice Admiral Swaminathan lauded the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Navy, and the Indian shipbuilding industry for their steadfast commitment to achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing. He expressed satisfaction over the pace and quality of execution of the project and commended GSL for its dedication to meeting critical defence needs within tight timelines.

Speaking on the occasion, GSL Chairman & Managing Director Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay underscored the shipyard’s strong growth momentum and its strategic emphasis on indigenisation, technology absorption, and high-quality delivery. “These strategic orders reflect not just the scale of trust, but also the scope of responsibility placed upon us,” he said, reaffirming GSL’s commitment to delivering world-class warships grounded in the ideals of self-reliance and innovation.

Beyond bolstering India’s maritime defence, GSL’s shipbuilding activities are catalysing economic growth by energising local supply chains, supporting MSMEs, and generating substantial employment opportunities. The shipyard’s expanding order book and indigenous production ethos are viewed as strong indicators of India’s journey toward becoming a self-reliant defence manufacturing hub under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

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