‘Shruti’ Launched by GRSE, Marking Milestone in Indigenous Warship Building

Kolkata, August 11, 2026

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, added a milestone to their shipbuilding legacy with the launch of ‘Shruti’, the second Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) being built by the shipyard for the Indian Navy, on August 11, 2026.
Coming less than three months after the launch of Sanghmitra, the first NGOPV from GRSE, on May 20, 2026, the occasion reflects steady momentum achieved by GRSE in executing this prestigious programme.
GRSE is constructing four NGOPVs as part of the Indian Navy's 11-ship NGOPV programme. The newly launched warship, named ‘Shruti’, was formally launched by Smt. Manika Sadhu, wife of Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, AVSM, NM, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition (CWP&A), Indian Navy, amidst traditional rituals and the chanting of Vedic shlokas. Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
The occasion was also attended by Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE; Cdr Shantanu Bose, IN (Retd.), Director (Shipbuilding); Capt. (IN) P Sunilkumar (Retd.), Director (Corporate Planning & Personnel); Shri Niranjan Bhalerao, Director (Finance); Shri Abhishek Ranjan, IOFS, Chief Vigilance Officer; and other senior officials of the Indian Navy and GRSE.
The name ‘Shruti’ means “that which is heard”. In the Indian tradition, the term ‘Shruti’ is used to refer to the four Vedas, the ancient scriptures that have been preserved through oral tradition over generations and occupy a central place in India's cultural and spiritual heritage.
The NGOPVs are significantly larger and more capable than the Offshore Patrol Vessels built earlier, offering enhanced endurance, firepower and operational versatility. Measuring about 113 metres in length and 14.6 metres in width, with a displacement of 3,000 tonnes, they will achieve speeds of up to 23 knots and have an endurance of 8,500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 14 knots.
Designed for a wide range of maritime operations, the NGOPVs will undertake coastal and offshore asset protection, maritime interdiction, surveillance, VBSS (Visit, Board, Search and Seizure), mine warfare and special operations. They will also be deployed for Out of Area Contingency Operations, anti-piracy, counter-infiltration, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), search and rescue missions, besides supporting hospital, COMINT and fleet maintenance roles.
Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu said that the Navy's responsibility is not only to defend national interests but also to ensure freedom of navigation, security of sea lanes and the uninterrupted flow of energy and essential goods to and from India. He highlighted the progress made over the last decade in creating a vibrant and increasingly technologically advanced defence manufacturing and shipbuilding ecosystem and noted GRSE's special place in this journey.
Vice Admiral Sadhu highlighted that GRSE delivered INS Ajay in 1961, the first indigenously built platform, and that over the last several decades, the Indian Navy has received more than 110 warships from GRSE, while the GRSE has built over 800 ships and platforms for the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, export customers and other countries. He also noted that GRSE was accorded Navratna status in June 2026 in recognition of the consistent vision, hard work and steadfast commitment of its personnel, both past and present. He said the launch of Shruti is yet another reflection of the professionalism, competence and commitment of Team GRSE.
Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE, highlighted the expansion plans of the shipyard and its commitment to Atmanirbharta and self-reliance.
He said that Shruti belongs to the Naval Ship of Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel project, of which four vessels are being constructed by GRSE. Unlike the Sukanya class OPVs or the indigenously built Saryu class OPVs, these ships are much larger, have much longer endurance and are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and sensors, besides a potent weapon fit.
He further said that while the entire shipyard is brimming with activity, the previous year was an exciting year for GRSE, when it delivered eight warships and launched one warship. He added that the current year would be equally exciting, with plans to deliver five warships and launch four vessels.

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