Defence Ministry signs ₹53,866 crore contracts for eight Naval corvettes

GRSE will build five Next Generation Corvettes and Goa Shipyard three under the contracts, which aim to strengthen the Navy's combat capabilities and indigenous warship manufacturing

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Monday signed contracts worth ₹53,866.50 crore with two defence public sector shipyards for the construction of eight Next Generation Corvettes (NGCs) for the Navy.

 

According to the contracts, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) will build five corvettes, while Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) will construct the remaining three in a major push to indigenous warship design and manufacturing.

 

The contracts were signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

 

The project marks the first time that warships will be indigenously designed by the Navy and constructed by defence public sector undertakings (DPSU) selected through a competitive process, the MoD said in a statement.

 

 

A corvette is a fast and manoeuvrable warship, generally smaller than frigates and destroyers, and primarily designed for coastal and near-sea operations. These are useful for coastal defence, maritime surveillance, patrolling and combat missions, including anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.

 

“The NGCs will be equipped with state-of-the-art capabilities, including advanced missiles, weapons and sensor suites, enabling them to undertake missions across the air, surface and sub-surface domains,” the statement read. 

 

The vessels will strengthen the Navy’s anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, coastal defence and littoral combat operations. It will increase capabilities in safeguarding maritime trade routes and support maritime surveillance missions.

 

The project will also promote the use of indigenous materials, equipment and technologies, along with technical expertise, as the government seeks to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.