Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Aug 11: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd plans to deliver five warships to the Indian Navy by the end of 2026-27, its chairman and managing director Cmde P R Hari, IN (Retd), said on Tuesday.
He was speaking at the launch of Shruti, the second of four Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) being built by GRSE, in Kolkata.
“We are now building nine warships, including these four NGOPVs. We shall be delivering five of them by the end of this financial year. We shall also be launching the two remaining NGOPVs by then,” Cmde Hari said.
The five warships scheduled for delivery include the advanced stealth guided missile frigate Vindhyagiri and four Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASWSWCs).
Shruti was launched by Manika Sadhu, wife of Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition (CWP&A), Indian Navy, amid traditional rituals and chanting of shlokas. Vice Admiral Sadhu was the chief guest at the event.
Shruti is the second of the four NGOPVs to be launched by GRSE. The first vessel, Sanghmitra, was launched on May 20 this year.
The NGOPVs are significantly larger than the Offshore Patrol Vessels built earlier and are designed to offer greater endurance, along with advanced sensors and equipment.
The vessels will be around 113 metres long and 14.6 metres wide, with a displacement of approximately 3,000 tonnes. They will be capable of reaching speeds of up to 23 knots and have an endurance of 8,500 nautical miles at 14 knots.
With a draught requirement of only four metres, the NGOPVs will be capable of operating in coastal waters. Their roles will include protection of offshore assets, maritime interdiction and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations.
The vessels will also undertake presence-cum-surveillance and mine warfare missions and support special operations. They will have roles in ‘Out of Area’ Contingency Operations, non-combatant evacuation, convoy operations, anti-piracy and counter-infiltration missions.
The NGOPVs will further be capable of undertaking humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, search and rescue operations, and operating as hospital and Communications Intelligence (COMINT) ships. They will also provide fleet maintenance support.
However, Cmde Hari expressed concern over the lack of fresh orders from the Navy and Coast Guard.
“Our core business is warship building. Once we have delivered the five warships, our order book for naval platforms will come down significantly. This is a matter of concern. However, I am sure that things will look up with the order for the Next Generation Corvettes,” he said.