Kochi, September 19: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) marked the start of a key construction stage for the first vessel under the Indian Navy’s Next Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) programme at its Kochi facility on Friday, September 18.
Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition, was the chief guest at the ceremony, which was also attended by senior officials from the Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard.
The Ministry of Defence signed the contract with CSL in March 2023 for construction of six Next Generation Missile Vessels at a total cost of ₹9,805 crore, with deliveries scheduled to begin from March 2027.
The vessels are being designed as heavily armed warships with stealth, high speed and offensive capabilities. They are expected to be equipped with advanced weapons and sensors, including surface-to-surface missiles, anti-missile defence systems, air-surveillance radars and fire-control radars.
According to the Ministry of Defence, major role-defining equipment for the vessels is being developed and manufactured in India, supporting greater indigenous content in future naval platforms.
The NGMV programme is aimed at strengthening the Navy’s ability to operate in the complex maritime environment of the Indian Ocean Region while supporting its transition towards a future-ready and combat-ready force.
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