Cochin Shipyard Lays NGMV Keel

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has laid the keel for the first Next Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) being built for the Indian Navy, marking the formal start of construction of the advanced warship.

The keel-laying ceremony was held at CSL in Kochi on September 18, with Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition at Integrated Headquarters, Indian Navy, as the chief guest. Senior Navy and CSL officials also attended the event.

The Indian Navy has contracted CSL to build six NGMVs under a contract signed in March 2023. The first vessel is designated BY 531.

The NGMVs are planned as high-speed vessels equipped with advanced weapons and sensor systems, including surface-to-surface missile systems, anti-missile defence systems, air-surveillance radars and fire-control radars.

According to CSL, the vessels will support maritime strike and anti-surface warfare operations and can be used for sea-denial missions. They are also planned for local naval defence and protection of offshore development areas.

Each vessel is planned to have a complement of about 80 personnel and a maximum speed of 33 knots. The project also involves indigenous development and manufacturing of major role-defining equipment, in line with India’s domestic defence manufacturing objectives.

The programme expands CSL’s role into the construction of advanced weapon-intensive platforms for the Indian Navy and adds to India’s indigenous naval shipbuilding capability.