News Desk, News Nation 360 : Recently, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd officially entered the field of building 'Next Generation' warships by laying the keels of two Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs). For the Indian Navy, GRSE is constructing four NGOPVs. The honourable governor of West Bengal, C V Ananda Bose, was the event's chief guest. The Indian Navy is set to induct a new class of warships, the Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs). These advanced vessels, significantly larger and more capable than their predecessors, will be approximately 113 meters long and 14.6 meters wide, with a displacement of 3,000 tons. Capable of reaching speeds of up to 23 knots and boasting an endurance of 8,500 nautical miles at 14 knots, these ships will be manned by a crew of 24 officers and over 100 sailors. The NGOPVs will be versatile platforms, capable of operating in a wide range of roles, including coastal security, maritime interdiction, VBSS operations, presence-
cum-surveillance missions, mine warfare, and special operations support. Additionally, they will be equipped to participate in out-of-area contingency operations, non-combatant evacuation, convoy operations, anti-piracy missions, counter-infiltration operations, anti-poaching, anti-trafficking, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and search and rescue missions. The NGOPVs will also have the potential to serve as hospital ships, COMINT ships, and fleet maintenance support vessels. Their shallow draft of 4 meters will allow them to operate in coastal waters, ensuring effective protection of offshore assets and maritime interests. Among the others present at the keel-laying ceremony were Cmde P R Hari, IN (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, and senior officials from the Indian Navy, ICG, IAF, Indian Army & GRSE.
Pic - Courtesy
