Coast Guard lays keel of first next-gen OPV at Mazagon Dock

The Indian Coast Guard organised the keel-laying ceremony of Yard 16401, the first of six next-generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), at M/s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) in Mumbai today.

A statement from the ICG stated that the ceremony was presided over by DIG RH Nandodkar, TM, CSO (Tech), CGRHQ (NW), along with A Vinod, Executive Director (Ship Building), MDL.

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The contract for the construction of six next generation OPVs was concluded in December 2023. With a range of 5,000 nautical miles and measuring 117 meters in length, having a strength of 11 officers and 110 men, the ship will be capable of achieving a maximum speed of 23 knots.

It will also feature state-of-the-art machinery and advanced technological systems, including AI-based predictive maintenance systems, Remote Piloted Drones, Integrated Bridge System (IBS), and Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).

This ship is being indigenously designed, developed, and constructed by MDL under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. The addition of a new fleet of NGOPVs will further ensure strengthening the ICG’s role in safeguarding India’s maritime interests.