NEW DELHI: In the first step towards building India’s advanced weapon-intensive platforms, Cochin Shipyard Ltd on Friday laid the keel for the first next generation missile vessel (NGMV) project being built for the Indian Navy.Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition from Integrated Headquarters, Navy, was the chief guest at the keel-laying ceremony. Jose V J, CMD of CSL, other senior officials of the Navy and the shipyard were present at the event.NGMVs are planned advanced, heavy-duty, high-speed stealth corvettes that have been designed for anti-surface warfare, maritime strike operations and sea-denial near crucial maritime choke points.Under this programme, the Indian Navy intends to acquire six advanced missile vessels. Such warships will be armed with anti-ship missiles or land-attack missiles like BrahMos cruise missiles. They will feature advanced stealth features like a low radar cross section (RCS), infrared, acoustic and magnetic signatures.CSL has six NGMVs in its order book under the contract signed with the Indian Navy on March 30, 2023.“The NGMVs are planned to be equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, which would significantly enhance the combat capabilities of the Indian Navy as a ‘Future Ready and Combat Ready Force’,” a defence ministry release said.The construction of the NGMVs reinforces India’s commitment to build a strong and modern Navy, capable of operating in the complex maritime environment of the Indian Ocean Region. The project also underscores the growing indigenous capabilities of the Indian defence industry, with all major role-defining equipment being indigenously developed and manufactured. This is in consonance with govt’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and Make for the World, the release said.
