New Delhi : The keel of the first Next Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) for the Indian Navy was laid at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, marking a significant milestone in the construction of the Navy's next-generation missile vessels. Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition, was the chief guest.

Senior officials of the Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard Limited attended the ceremony.The contract for construction of the NGMVs was signed between the Indian Navy and CSL in March 2023.

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The vessels are planned to be equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, aimed at significantly enhancing the combat capabilities of the Indian Navy.The NGMVs are being developed as part of the Navy's efforts to build a future-ready and combat-ready force capable of operating in the increasingly complex maritime environment of the Indian Ocean Region.

A significant feature of the project is the indigenous development and manufacture of the major role-defining equipment. According to the Navy, this reflects India's growing capability in warship design and construction and is aligned with the Centre's Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, as well as the vision of Make for the World.

The construction of the vessels at Cochin Shipyard further strengthens Kochi's role as a key centre for India's indigenous warship-building programme.