Cochin Shipyard Starts Construction of the First Next-Generation Missile Vessel for the Indian Navy
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) held the steel-cutting ceremony of the first Next-Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) for the Indian Navy on December 16, 2024. The contract for the acquisition of six Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV) was signed with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) at a cost of ₹9,805 crore ($1.16 billion) with the delivery of ships scheduled to commence in 2027.
The warship will be equipped with one General Electric LM-2500 gas turbine engine manufactured by GE Aerospace and assembled by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in its Bengaluru division. CSL signed a contract for six sets of LM2500 gas turbines with HAL for ₹1173 crore ($140 million) in March 2024. The ship will also feature two maritime diesel engines for low-speed performance and endurance.
The ship will have an overall length of 89m, a maximum beam of 12m, and a draught of 3.4m. It has a design displacement of about 1,437 tons with a complement of 80 including 10 officers, 20 senior sailors and 50 junior sailors. NGMV will have a maximum speed of 33 knots and an economical speed of over 14 knots for a range of over 2,800 nautical miles (5,185km).
The ship will feature a four-face X-band AESA radar developed by DRDO as the fire control radar for VL-SRSAM, it will be manufactured by BEL for which the contract was signed on September 11, 2024, for ₹850 crore ($101 million). It is equipped with Surface to Surface Missile System, Anti-Missile Defence Systems and Air Surveillance radar developed and made in India.
These ships will be capable of conducting Maritime Strike Operations, Anti Surface Warfare Operations and would be a potent instrument of sea denial for enemy ships, especially at choke points. In a defensive role, these ships would be employed for Local Naval Defence operations and seaward defence of the Offshore Development Area. NGMV will act as a replacement for Khukri class corvettes which are due for retirement later this decade. It is the first and smallest vessel in the Indian Navy’s ‘Next Generation’ surface combatants plan which also includes the Next Generation Corvette (NGC) and Next Generation Destroyer (NGD).