MDL lays keel of 4th next-generation OPV for Indian Coast Guard

New Delhi: State-run shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) on Wednesday laid the keel of the fourth Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) being constructed for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), marking another milestone in India’s indigenous shipbuilding programme.

Follow The PSUWatch Channel on WhatsApp

The keel-laying ceremony was held at MDL’s Nhava Yard in Mumbai on June 25 in the presence of senior officials from the Indian Coast Guard, MDL and classification societies.

The vessel is part of the six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels being built by MDL under a contract signed with the Indian Coast Guard on December 20, 2023. The ships are being indigenously designed, developed and constructed by MDL in line with the Government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

According to the company, the keel-laying ceremony signifies a major milestone in the construction process and reflects the steady progress of the NGOPV programme.

The ceremony was attended by DIG Vivek Sharma, Principal Director (Technical Services), Indian Coast Guard, Rajeev Ranjan, Executive Director (Production), MDL, along with senior officials from MDL, the Coast Guard and classification representatives.

Follow PSU Watch on LinkedIN

The Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels are being equipped with modern machinery and state-of-the-art systems aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard. The vessels are expected to play a crucial role in strengthening coastal surveillance, maritime security and law enforcement operations in Indian waters.

The project is also expected to provide a significant boost to indigenous shipbuilding capabilities and strengthen the domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem. The construction of the NGOPVs aligns with the government’s emphasis on self-reliance in defence production and contributes to the development of a robust maritime industrial base.

(PSU Watch is India's Business News centre that places the spotlight on PSUs, Bureaucracy, Defence and Public Policy. 👉 Click to join our channel now: PSUWatch WhatsApp Channel. Prefer LinkedIn? Follow PSU Watch on LinkedIN. Click to stay connected on Twitter here and stay updated)