Keel Laying ceremony of Yard 3039, the third Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (ex-GRSE) was held at GRSE Ltd, Kolkata on 11 Apr 25 with Shri Sugata Ghosh Dastidar, IDAS, Financial Advisor (Defence Services) as the Chief Guest. Cmde P R Hari (Retd), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE and other senior officials from the Indian Navy and the Shipyard were present for the event.
The contracts for indigenous design and construction of eleven NGOPVs were concluded on 30 Mar 23 with Goa Shipyard Ltd (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.
The NGOPVs, with an approximate tonnage of 3000T, are designed for Coastal Defence & Surveillance, Search and Rescue operations, Protection of Offshore Assets and Anti-Piracy missions. Keel Laying of these vessels marks a significant milestone in the overall project timeline. The eleven 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 Naval maritime prowess.
The keel laying is not merely a symbolic gesture, but a demonstration of progress in strengthening the nation’s maritime defenses and protecting its economic interests within its exclusive economic zone. The successful completion of Yard 3039 will undoubtedly contribute significantly to a more secure and stable maritime environment.