Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited lays keel of fourth next gen offshore patrol vessel for ICG
MUMBAI : Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has achieved another milestone in India’s indigenous shipbuilding programme with the keel laying of the fourth Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) under Project 06 for the Indian Coast Guard.
The keel laying ceremony was held at MDL’s Nhava Yard in the presence of Deputy Inspector General Vivek Sharma, Principal Director (Technical Services), Indian Coast Guard, Rajeev Ranjan, Executive Director (Production), MDL, along with senior officials from MDL, the Indian Coast Guard and classification society representatives.
The ceremony marks a significant milestone in the construction of the NGOPVs, signifying the successful transition from the design and fabrication phase to the assembly of the vessel’s main hull structure. Keel laying is regarded as one of the most important stages in shipbuilding, symbolising the formal commencement of a ship’s construction.
The Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels are being built to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard in safeguarding India’s vast coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The vessels will undertake a wide range of missions, including maritime surveillance, coastal security, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations, search and rescue missions, protection of offshore assets, fisheries enforcement and humanitarian assistance during natural disasters.
Designed with advanced navigation, communication and surveillance systems, the NGOPVs will offer improved endurance, greater operational flexibility and enhanced capability to operate across diverse maritime environments. The project is expected to significantly strengthen the Coast Guard’s ability to respond to emerging maritime security challenges.
The programme is also a major boost to India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Construction of the vessels at MDL is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities while promoting the participation of domestic industries, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), in the defence supply chain.
The keel laying of the fourth NGOPV underscores India’s continued commitment to self-reliance in defence production, strengthening maritime security and advancing indigenous shipbuilding capabilities to support the nation’s long-term strategic interests.
