The Indian Navy conducted the keel laying ceremony for Yard 3040, the fourth (ex-GRSE) Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV), at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) in Kolkata.
The INS Himgiri, the second in a series of Advanced Stealth Frigates being built for the Indian Navy by Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd in Kolkata, is nearly complete.
Vice-Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command was the chief guest. The primary role of the 77 metres long, waterjet propelled ASW shallow water craft, capable of 25 knots speed is to conduct anti-submarine operations in coastal water
The primary role of a shallow watercraft is to conduct antisubmarine operations in coastal waters, low-intensity maritime operations and in mine laying operations. The craft is capable of full-scale sub-surface surveillance of coastal waters, Search Attack Unit (SAU) and coordinated ASW operations with aircraft.
The collaboration will also contribute to the future strategy of GRSE to take on additional shipbuilding activities including repair and refit of ships, which will aid in the feasibility for execution and expansion, in and around Kolkata.
Under the MoU, the two entities will collaborate and engage to offer high-end surface ships based on sea proven Gowind® design’, developed for the export market. Having built over 100 warships for Indian and foreign naval forces, GRSE will work closely with French and Indian industries.
The Kolkata-based shipbuilding company said that GRSE bagged the order for this vessel on competitive bidding, and the contract was signed with the Transport and Harbours Department of Govt. of Guyana.
GRSE has also begun construction of the second and third ships in the eight anti-submarine warfare shallow watercraft project.
This is the fourth and last such ASWC that the company handed over while it is also the 104th warship that the company constructed for the Indian Navy.
The FPVs are ideal platforms for undertaking multifarious close coast missions such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and medical evacuation etc.
