New Delhi/Kolkata, 02 November 2026: Marking a significant milestone in India’s indigenous warship-building programme, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, signed a contract with the Indian Navy in New Delhi today for the construction of five Next Generation Corvettes (NGCs).
The contract, valued at approximately ₹32,000 crore, was signed by Shri Dinesh Kumar, IAS, JS & AM (MS), Ministry of Defence & Cdr Shantanu Bose, IN (Retd), Director (Shipbuilding), GRSE, in the presence of Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, IAS, Defence Secretary of India, Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE, and other senior officials from Ministry of Defence, Indian Navy & GRSE.
GRSE had emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) for the prestigious project. The signing of the contract marks a major step forward in strengthening India’s indigenous warship-building capabilities and advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.
Building on its extensive experience in the construction of guided-missile and anti-submarine warfare corvettes, GRSE will now undertake the construction of these next-generation warships, which will feature enhanced capabilities, advanced sensors and sophisticated weapons systems. The project further reinforces the shipyard’s position as a key contributor to India’s maritime defence preparedness and indigenous warship design and construction.
The Next Generation Corvettes will measure 127 metres in length and 17.6 metres in beam, with a specified deadweight tonnage of 4,950 tonnes. The warships will have an endurance of 14 days at sea without replenishment and a maximum speed of 26 knots. Designed to accommodate 11 officers and 139 sailors, the vessels will be built to the classification requirements of a Naval Headquarters-approved classification society.
The corvettes will feature an advanced Combined Diesel and Gas Turbine–Cross-Connect (CODAG-CC) propulsion arrangement, driving two Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP). This propulsion architecture is designed to support the operational requirements of these versatile frontline combat platforms. Designed for a wide spectrum of maritime missions, the NGCs will undertake multi-role operations, including offensive ship-to-ship and ship-to-surface missile attacks, anti-missile defence, anti-submarine warfare, escort duties, maritime interdiction operations (MIO), including Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS), and local naval defence.
To support these missions, the warships will be equipped with an advanced suite of weapons, sensors and navigation systems. The proposed systems include Medium Range Anti-Ship Missiles, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM) and 324 mm torpedo tubes. The armament suite will also include an OTO Melara 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) with the latest upgrade, an AK-630 Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) and 12.7 mm Stabilised Remote-Controlled Guns (SRCGs) integrated with an Electro-Optic-based Fire Control System (EOFCS).
The sensor suite will include an Electro-Optical Infrared Search and Track (EOIRST) system and a Multi-Function Surveillance, Track and Guidance Radar (MFSTAR). The corvettes will also have helicopter-operating capabilities, enhancing their operational flexibility across a range of maritime scenarios.
The shipyard is currently building nine warships, including an advanced guided missile frigate under the Navy’s Project 17A, four ASW-SWCs and four Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels. Apart from these, GRSE is executing orders for 36 other platforms, including 13 vessels for export. Over the past six decades, GRSE has established itself as one of India’s leading warship builders, with a distinguished track record of delivering 118 warships to the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and friendly foreign nations.
