The Indian Navy launched the second Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel, named Shruti, on Tuesday at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers shipyard [1, 2, 3].
The launch marks a step forward in India's efforts to reduce reliance on foreign military hardware. By expanding its indigenous fleet, the navy aims to strengthen its maritime surveillance and patrol capabilities within its regional waters [1, 3].
Shruti was launched at the GRSE facility in Kolkata [1, 3]. The vessel is identified by yard number 3037 [3]. According to technical specifications, the ship has a displacement of 3,000 tonnes [1].
This vessel is the second ship in the NGOPV series [2]. The program is designed to provide the navy with modern platforms capable of conducting long-range patrols and monitoring exclusive economic zones. The project is part of a broader shipbuilding drive to enhance the navy's operational reach, a goal central to the country's current defense strategy [1, 3].
Top naval officials attended the ceremony to oversee the launch of the ship. The vessel will now undergo further fitting and sea trials before it is officially commissioned into active service with the Indian Navy [1, 2].
“The Indian Navy launched the second Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel, named Shruti.”
The deployment of the NGOPV series indicates a shift toward strategic autonomy in India's naval procurement. By producing 3,000-tonne patrol vessels domestically, the Indian Navy can maintain a more consistent presence in the Indian Ocean Region without the logistical or political constraints associated with imported platforms.
