Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited launched ‘Sanghmitra’, the first Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) for the Indian Navy, in Kolkata. The warship is part of a comprehensive procurement project involving the simultaneous construction of 11 NGOPVs split between Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and GRSE. This domestic defense manufacturing milestone aligns with the strategic objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the Make in India initiative, expanding the domestic capacity for building advanced, ocean-going security platforms.
Technical Specifications of the Vessel
The Shachi-class or NGOPV platforms represent an upgrade over the older Saryu-class naval offshore patrol vessels in terms of endurance, displacement, and onboard sensors.
Dimensions and Performance Metrics
- Displacement and Hull: The vessel has a design displacement of approximately 3,000 tonnes, a length of 113 meters, and a molded breadth of 14.6 meters.
- Draught: It features a shallow design draught of 4 meters, enabling swift operations in both deep blue waters and restrictive coastal or littoral environments.
- Speed and Endurance: Powered by two diesel engines driving controllable pitch propellers, it clocks a maximum design speed of 23 knots. The ship possesses an operational endurance of 8,500 nautical miles when cruising at an economical speed of 14 knots.
- Aviation Facilities: The structural design includes a flight deck and an enclosed hangar tailored to embark, maintain, and operate a 15-tonne multi-role helicopter or multiple Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs).
Weaponry and Electronic Countermeasures
- Artillery Systems: The main armament comprises a 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) paired with a Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) Lynx-U2 Fire Control Radar.
- Close-In Weapon Systems: For localized air defense, the vessel mounts two 30 mm AK-630 Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) and two Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORADS) missile units.
- Defense Suites: Survivability is enhanced via the integration of Kavach chaff decoy launchers and the Maareech advanced torpedo countermeasure system. Target tracking is supplemented by the BEL EON-51 electro-optical fire-control network.
Operational Mandate and Multi-Domain Utility
The primary role of these indigenously developed assets is to maintain continuous maritime presence, protecting the sprawling Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India and key sea lines of communication.
Mission Capabilities
- Seaward Defence and Interdiction: The vessels perform extensive ocean surveillance, counter-infiltration patrols, and anti-poaching or anti-trafficking operations.
- Special Operations Support: They are optimized for Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations, convoy escort tracking, and anti-piracy patrols in high-risk corridors.
- Non-Combat Roles: The modular layout allows rapid conversion into dedicated communication intelligence (COMINT) platforms, floating hospital facilities, and asset bases for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) or non-combatant evacuation operations.
Institutional Framework of the NGOPV Program
The Defense Procurement Board structured the project to create balanced industrial distribution across the public sector shipyards.
| Parameter | Project Details |
| Total Fleet Strength | 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels. |
| Production Allocations | GSL, Goa (7 Vessels – Lead Yard) | GRSE, Kolkata (4 Vessels). |
| Combined Project Cost | Approximately 9,781 crore INR. |
| Expected Induction | Deliveries commence from late 2026 through a staggered 7.5-year timeline. |
| Design Origin | Warship Design Bureau (WDB), Indian Navy. |
IASPOINT Booster Facts for UPSC
- Historical Etymology: The vessel is named after Princess Sanghmitra, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka the Great, who traveled to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE alongside her brother Mahinda to propagate Buddhism, symbolizing ancient Indian maritime outreach.
- Crest Design: The official crest of INS Sanghmitra features a depiction of the Ursa Major constellation (Saptarishi) alongside a red and white colored lighthouse, signifying direction and guidance.
- MCGS Barracuda Legacy: GRSE achieved a major export milestone in 2014 by delivering MCGS Barracuda, an offshore patrol vessel, to Mauritius, marking India’s first warship export.
- Offshore Patrol Vessel vs Destroyer: OPVs are lighter, possess lesser firepower, and are optimized for cost-effective patrol and policing operations over prolonged durations, unlike multi-role combatant destroyers or frigates.
- Project 17A Complementarity: The launch follows GRSE’s recent delivery of advanced frontline combatants, including the Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) stealth frigates, showcasing high industrial throughput.