Kolkata, October 10, 2026

 

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, today launched ‘Shreyas’, the third of the four Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) built by the shipyard for the Indian Navy, in presence of Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, PVSM, AVSM, NM, who graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The vessel was formally launched by Smt Reyman Kochhar, wife of Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar. Senior officials from GRSE and the Indian Navy were present on the occasion.

Shri Kochhar stated, “This accomplishment is not only a clear reflection of the unflinching efforts and hard work being put in 24x7 at GRSE, but also of the growing speed, scale and the strength of the Indian warship building system. Such a progress is particularly encouraging as the demand for sustained maritime presence and a larger fleet of capable platforms has never been more important.”

Highlighting the importance, the Vice Admiral also added, “A maritime nation like India with a long coastline, a large exclusive economic zone and vital economic and energy interests which are dependent on the seas, there is a need for maintaining a credible and a persistent maritime presence in our region.”

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. These warships 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.

The Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, Cmde Shri P R Hari, IN (Retd.), highlighted, “The next generation offshore patrol vessel project, these ships are NG in letter and spirit, be it the length and width, or the endurance, or displacement, and also the potency of the equipment and weapon fit when compared to the existing offshore patrol vessels of the currently in operation with the Indian Navy.’’

This launch comes less than two months after the launch of ‘Shruti’, the second vessel of the series, on August 11, 2026. The first NGOPV, ‘Sanghmitra’, was launched on May 20, 2026. This marks three launches in less than five months, reflecting the steady momentum achieved by GRSE in executing this prestigious project of four advanced warships as part of the Indian Navy’s 11-ship NGOPV programme.
 

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SSS/RP/Kol/10.10.26.....

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