Shachi-class patrol vessel (2026)

The Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel project is a follow on of the cancelled Shachi class project which was eventually cancelled due to an inordinate delay of more than 10 years.^[5] Initially, the Indian Navy signed a contract for five offshore patrol vessel to be built by the erstwhile Pipavav Shipyard (later,Reliance Defence and Engineering; now, Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited). Numerous delays in the project, initially due to change of design partner and subsequently due to financial issues led to the cancellation of the project in October 2020.^[6][7][8]

The Indian Navy re-released a new RFI in 2017 for six ships which was later cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in 2018 for a price of ₹4,941 crore (equivalent to ₹66 billion or US$690 million in 2023).^[9][1] Later on, the number of ships to be built was increased to eleven to compensate for the time lost due to the cancelled Shachi class project.^[10][11]

The project was subjected to competitive bidding and shipyards across the country participated. Amongst the public sector participants were Cochin Shipyard, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Goa Shipyard, Hindustan Shipyard and Mazagon Dock while Larsen & Toubro was the sole private bidder. Goa Shipyard was declared the lowest bidder (L1) while Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers was the second lowest L2.^[12] Contract was subsequently signed with both the shipyards.^[4]

The deal for the construction of 11 ships was signed on 30 March 2023 by Ministry of Defence with Goa Shipyard (GSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) for a total value of ₹9,781 crore (US$1.0 billion). Of the 11 ships, seven will be designed, developed and manufactured by GSL and four by GRSE. The delivery of the ships is scheduled to commence from September 2026. The order value share for the Goa Shipyard (GSL) is ₹6,200 crore (US$650 million) while that of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) is ₹3,500 crore (US$370 million).^[13][14]

The first ship is expected to be delivered within 44 months from the date of signing the contract with the final delivery to be complete within seven and half years.^[15][16][17]

On the same date, MoD also ordered 13 units of BEL Lynx-U2 Fire Control Radar worth ₹1,700 crore (US$180 million) for the NGOPV programme.^[2][18]

On 24 February and 27 March 2024, GRSE and GSL began the construction of the first two of their respective NGOPVs with the steel cutting ceremony.^[19][20]

On 8 February 2025, MoD placed an order for 28 BEL EON-51 FCS, worth ₹642 crore (US$67 million), to complement AK-630s onboard 11 NGOPVs and 3 Cadet Training Ships.^[21]

Keel for the second and third OPV (Y1281 and Y1822) from Goa Shipyard's lot was laid at Yeoman Shipyard (YMSPL), Ratnagiri on 23 March 2025. The main hull blocks of the vessels would be fabricated at YMSPL's Ratnagiri facility as part of GSL’s build strategy.^[22]

The first ship, Shachi, was launched on 31 March 2026 by Mrs Shagun Sobti, in the presence of VAdm Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff at Goa Shipyard.^[23]

The first ship from M/S GRSE, Sanghmitra, was launched on 20 May 2026.^[24]

The ships will have a displacement of 2,500–2,900 tonnes (2,461–2,854 long tons) and a length of 105–110 metres (344 ft 6 in – 360 ft 11 in) depending upon the design opted by either of the shipyard. They will have a cruising speed of 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) with a maximum speed greater than 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) and an operating range of 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at a speed of 14–15 knots (26–28 km/h; 16–17 mph). The ships will be equipped with state of the art facility and a hangar which can accommodate one HAL Dhruv. The Helipad can accommodate a helicopter of 15 t (15 long tons) with facility to operate UAVs.^[17]

These ship will be able to perform mine warfare roles with modular payload, presumably by the usage of UUVs and autonomous mine laying vehicles. The ship would be equipped with light weapons like 76mm main cannon along with CIWS systems and counter-measure system like Kavach decoy launchers and Maareech torpedo-countermeasure systems.^[13]

The CIWS will be partnered with EON-51 FCS, an electro optical fire-control system capable of search, detection and classification of targets by employing devices like Electro Optical and Thermal Imagers.^[21]

The ship will have the ability to store Shyena torpedoes for helicopter.^[1]

• Future of the Indian Navy
• Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (Indian Coast Guard)