The keel laying ceremony of the Indian Navy’s first Next Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) was held at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, on September 18. The milestone marks an important stage in the construction of the Navy’s new class of missile vessels.
Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition, attended the ceremony as the chief guest. Senior officials from the Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard Limited were also present.
The contract for constructing the Next Generation Missile Vessels was concluded with CSL in March 2023.
The NGMVs are being designed with advanced weapon and sensor systems intended to enhance the Indian Navy’s combat capabilities.
The vessels are part of efforts to develop a future-ready and combat-ready Navy capable of operating in the increasingly complex maritime environment of the Indian Ocean Region.
The project also highlights the growing capabilities of India’s domestic defence industry.
According to the Ministry of Defence, all major role-defining equipment for the vessels is being indigenously developed and manufactured. This reflects the increasing role of Indian industry in the development of advanced naval platforms.
The construction of the NGMVs aligns with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and Make for the World initiatives.
The project is expected to contribute to domestic shipbuilding and strengthen India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem by supporting indigenous development and production of major naval equipment.
