Navy's next-gen patrol vessels get govt nod; frigates, destroyers to follow

Each NGOPV will displace an estimated 2,500 tonnes, making this class of vessel significantly larger and more potent than current OPVs in the navy and Coast Guard

The defence ministry on Monday cleared the acquisition of the first of its planned “next generation” warships --- six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) for an estimated cost of Rs 4,941 crore (49.41 billion), or about Rs 825 crore (8.25 billion) each.

These will be followed by “next generation missile boats”, “next generation frigates” and “next generation destroyers”. All these vessels are currently being designed by the navy’s internal design directorate.

“The NGOPVs will be built in indigenous shipyards and will be fitted with state-of-the-art sensor suite with increased endurance,” said a defence ministry release. Tenders are likely to