India Lays Keel for First AI-Equipped Next Gen Offshore Patrol Vessel for ICG

In a significant milestone for India's maritime security and shipbuilding capabilities, the keel-laying ceremony of Yard 16401—the first of six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG)—was held at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) in Mumbai on July 22, 2025. This landmark event signals the commencement of hull construction for a new class of highly advanced and indigenously designed patrol vessels that will bolster India’s coastal surveillance, maritime law enforcement, and humanitarian response capacities.

An Indigenous Marvel Aligned with Aatmanirbhar Bharat

The NGOPVs are being built under a contract signed on December 20, 2023, as part of a strategic initiative to enhance the ICG’s operational fleet. These vessels fall under the Buy (Indian–IDDM) category, which mandates Indian-designed, developed, and manufactured platforms, in line with the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) mission.

MDL, a premier defense public sector undertaking, is tasked with constructing the six high-end patrol vessels, incorporating cutting-edge technologies and meeting the rigorous operational standards of the Indian Coast Guard.

Technical Specifications and Capabilities

The 117-meter-long vessel will have a displacement of approximately 2,700 tons and is designed for endurance and versatility:

• Maximum Speed: 23 knots

• Operational Range: 5,000 nautical miles

• Accommodation: 11 officers and 110 personnel

• Operational Role: Maritime surveillance, anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, search and rescue (SAR), and pollution response.

The NGOPVs will operate effectively across India’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and far-reaching maritime boundaries, providing sustained surveillance and intervention capabilities.

Advanced Technological Integration

A defining feature of the NGOPVs is their integration of next-generation technologies for autonomous monitoring, predictive diagnostics, and enhanced mission control. Key systems onboard include:

• AI-Based Predictive Maintenance: Enhances operational readiness and minimizes downtime through automated fault detection and performance analytics.

• Remote Piloted Drones: Provide real-time aerial surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in inaccessible or high-risk zones.

• Integrated Bridge System (IBS): Ensures seamless coordination of navigation, communication, and ship control operations through a centralized digital interface.

• Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS): Enables comprehensive management of propulsion, power generation, auxiliary machinery, and damage control from a single platform.

These advancements will significantly enhance the Coast Guard’s situational awareness, operational efficiency, and response time in diverse maritime scenarios.

Ceremony Highlights and Attendees

The keel-laying ceremony was presided over by Deputy Inspector General RH Nandodkar, Chief Staff Officer (Tech) of ICG Regional Headquarters (North West). Also in attendance were A Vinod, Executive Director (Ship Building), MDL, and senior officials from both the Indian Coast Guard and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd.

In keeping with maritime tradition, the event marked a pivotal point in the shipbuilding timeline, symbolizing the vessel’s physical birth and a step closer to sea trials and eventual commissioning.

Strategic Importance of NGOPVs

With India’s growing maritime trade, vast EEZ, and increasing non-traditional maritime threats, the induction of NGOPVs represents a strategic augmentation of India's coastal defense infrastructure. These vessels will enable the Coast Guard to conduct multi-mission operations at extended ranges and durations, ensuring sovereignty, safety, and environmental protection in the nation’s maritime zones.

This initiative also reinforces India’s ambitions to become a global hub for shipbuilding and defense technology, providing domestic manufacturers with opportunities for innovation and export competitiveness.

Looking Ahead

As construction progresses on Yard 16401, the remaining five NGOPVs will follow in a phased schedule, with delivery and induction expected over the next few years. The project stands as a testament to the growing synergy between India's defense forces and indigenous industry, demonstrating how homegrown expertise can match and even lead global maritime capabilities.