Centre clears Rs 40,000 crore to build 8 next-gen stealth ships for Indian Navy

The CCS has cleared a project to build eight next-generation corvettes for the Indian Navy. The indigenous warship programme will strengthen maritime capabilities and support domestic defence manufacturing.

In Short

• New vessels to will feature entirely new stealth design, advanced tech
• Will support anti-submarine and anti-air warfare missions
• Vessels to have more than 70% indigenous content in Atmanirbhar push

The Centre has approved a project worth over Rs 40,000 crore to build eight Next-Generation Corvettes (NGCs) for the Indian Navy. Sources said it is the first mega defence project to have received clearance at the highest level in recent times. The warships will be constructed by two state-owned shipyards, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared the project on Wednesday. The contract for the eight warships is expected to be signed with the two shipyards in the next few days.

The project is expected to strengthen the Navy's surface fleet while giving a significant push to indigenous warship manufacturing.

WHAT MAKES THE NEXT-GENERATION CORVETTES SPECIAL

Let's understand what corvettes are. These are basically small, fast, heavily armed warships used mainly for coastal defence, surveillance and patrol. They are smaller than frigates and destroyers but can carry a range of weapons and sensors.

The eight Next-Generation Corvettes to be built for the Indian Navy will be 2,000-tonne high-speed surface combatants, with a speed of around 30 knots. They will feature an entirely new stealth design developed in-house by the Indian Navy, using advanced shipbuilding technologies.

Designed as highly adaptable, multi-role platforms, the warships will be capable of carrying out a range of maritime security missions, including anti-surface, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare.

The stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors, and high manoeuvrability are expected to enhance the Navy's operational capabilities.

OVER 70% INDIGENOUS CONTENT

The project will have more than 70 per cent indigenous content, in line with the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and its push to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing.

The construction of all eight warships in India will also further the government's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.

The Rs 40,000-crore-plus order will be shared between GRSE in Kolkata and Goa Shipyard Limited in Goa. It is expected to provide the two shipyards with long-term order book visibility and generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities across the MSME ecosystem.

FIRST CORVETTE EXPECTED BY 2030

The construction of the first corvette is expected to begin within a year. The first vessel is targeted for delivery by 2030.

The project comes as the Indian Navy continues to modernise its fleet to address growing maritime security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region, particularly amid an increased Chinese presence.

The latest clearance adds to the Navy's ongoing warship-building programme, which includes Nilgiri-class frigates, next-generation destroyers and fleet support ships.

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