Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) marked another milestone in India’s naval shipbuilding effort with the launch of the Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) Yard 1283, named Srishti, for the Indian Navy at its Vaddem facility in Goa on 27 October 2026. The vessel was ceremonially launched by Smt Sandeepa Sahay, with Shri Vishvajit Sahay, Secretary (Defence Finance), attending as the Chief Guest. Senior representatives from the Indian Navy, Ministry of Defence, and GSL were also present for the event, which followed customary naval protocol.
Meaning and identity of the vessel
Srishti is the fourth NGOPV under construction at GSL. Its name is drawn from India’s heritage, with the Sanskrit word “Srishti” meaning “Creation” or the “Act of Creating.” The ship’s crest carries the Ursa Major constellation and a red-and-white lighthouse, matching the design theme used for the series.
Role of the NGOPV programme
The NGOPVs are indigenously designed and built ships meant to strengthen the Indian Navy’s existing Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) and Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) fleet. According to the reported mission profile, these ships will support maritime surveillance, search and rescue, offshore asset protection, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), and anti-piracy tasks. Their induction is expected to improve coastal security, sea lane monitoring, and the Navy’s ability to respond to maritime contingencies.
Programme status and construction details
The 11-ship NGOPV programme is being executed simultaneously at two shipyards: seven vessels at GSL in Goa and four at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. The Ministry of Defence signed the contracts on 30 March 2023 under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category for a total value of ₹9,781 crore. The programme is also expected to generate about 110 lakh person-days of employment over the construction period. GSL’s first vessel in the series, Shachi, was launched on 31 March 2026, while Sanghmitra, Shruti, and Shreyas from GRSE have also been launched in recent months.
The keel of Yard 1283 was laid on 9 June 2025. The ships are described as more capable than earlier OPVs, with reported dimensions of about 113–114 metres in length, 14.6 metres in beam, and a displacement of roughly 2,700–3,000 tonnes depending on the shipyard’s design. They are intended for long endurance, with a reported range of around 8,500 nautical miles at cruising speed, and are built for flexible use across coastal and offshore tasks.
What the launch means for the Navy
Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, Chairman and Managing Director of GSL, said the shipyard remains committed to delivering high-quality indigenous platforms and supporting self-reliance in defence production. The launch adds to the Indian Navy’s indigenous shipbuilding programme and fits within the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. After launch, Srishti will move through outfitting, systems integration, trials, and acceptance before delivery and commissioning.
The Indian Navy has described these vessels as “Sentinels of the Seas,” reflecting their role in maritime surveillance and security. With work continuing at both shipyards, the NGOPV programme is steadily expanding the Navy’s surface fleet with modern, indigenously built ships.
