New Delhi, July 22, 2025 — In a significant stride towards maritime self-reliance and coastal security enhancement, the keel of the first Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) for the Indian Coast Guard was laid today at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) in Mumbai.
The keel-laying ceremony of Yard 16401, the first of six NGOPVs, was presided over by Deputy Inspector General RH Nandodkar, TM, CSO (Tech), Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (North West), in the presence of A Vinod, Executive Director (Shipbuilding), MDL, along with senior officials from the Indian Coast Guard and MDL.
The contract for the construction of six advanced NGOPVs was signed on December 20, 2023. Each vessel will be 117 meters long with an endurance of 5,000 nautical miles and a top speed of 23 knots. Designed to accommodate 11 officers and 110 personnel, these ships will be equipped with cutting-edge technology, including AI-based predictive maintenance systems, Remote Piloted Drones, Integrated Bridge System (IBS), and Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).
Built under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, the vessel is a testament to India’s growing focus on indigenous defence manufacturing, aligning with the Government of India’s flagship “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) initiative.
The NGOPV program is expected to bolster the Indian Coast Guard’s operational capacity significantly, providing greater maritime surveillance, pollution response, and search and rescue capabilities. This addition marks a major milestone in the modernization of India’s coastal defence infrastructure and reinforces the nation’s commitment to safeguarding its vast maritime interests.
