Key Highlights
- GRSE signs a contract worth approximately ₹32,000 crore with the Indian Navy to build five Next Generation Corvettes.
- The contract was signed in New Delhi on November 2, 2026.
- The five corvettes will measure 127 metres in length and 17.6 metres in beam.
- Each warship will have a specified deadweight tonnage of 4,950 tonnes and a maximum speed of 26 knots.
- The vessels are designed to operate at sea for 14 days without replenishment.
- Each corvette will accommodate 11 officers and 139 sailors.
- The warships will feature CODAG-CC propulsion systems and two Controllable Pitch Propellers.
- The proposed weapons systems include anti-ship missiles, MRSAM, 324 mm torpedo tubes and advanced naval guns.
- The sensor suite will include EOIRST and MFSTAR radar systems.
- GRSE is currently building nine warships and executing orders for 36 other platforms, including 13 vessels for export.
- GRSE has delivered 118 warships to the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and friendly foreign countries.
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) has signed a contract worth approximately ₹32,000 crore with the Indian Navy for the construction of five Next Generation Corvettes (NGCs). The agreement was signed in New Delhi on November 2, 2026, marking a major development in India’s indigenous warship-building programme.
GRSE, a Navratna public sector defence shipyard under the Ministry of Defence, secured the project after emerging as the lowest bidder (L1). The contract was signed by Dinesh Kumar, Joint Secretary and Additional Member (Shipbuilding), Ministry of Defence, and Cdr Shantanu Bose (Retd), Director (Shipbuilding) at GRSE. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, GRSE Chairman and Managing Director Cmde PR Hari (Retd), and other senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Indian Navy and GRSE attended the signing ceremony.
GRSE Next Generation Corvettes: Specifications and Capabilities
The five Next Generation Corvettes will measure 127 metres in length and 17.6 metres in beam, with a specified deadweight tonnage of 4,950 tonnes. The warships are designed to operate at sea for 14 days without replenishment and achieve a maximum speed of 26 knots.
Each vessel will accommodate 11 officers and 139 sailors. The ships will be constructed according to the classification requirements of a classification society approved by Naval Headquarters.
The corvettes will feature a Combined Diesel and Gas Turbine–Cross-Connect (CODAG-CC) propulsion system connected to two Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP). The propulsion arrangement is intended to support the operational requirements of the Navy’s frontline combat vessels.
Advanced Weapons and Surveillance Systems
The Next Generation Corvettes are planned to feature advanced weapons, sensors and navigation systems to support multiple maritime operations.
The proposed weapons package includes Medium Range Anti-Ship Missiles, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM) and 324 mm torpedo tubes. The vessels will also feature an upgraded OTO Melara 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount, an AK-630 Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) and 12.7 mm stabilised remote-controlled guns integrated with an Electro-Optic-based Fire Control System.
The sensor systems will include an Electro-Optical Infrared Search and Track (EOIRST) system and a Multi-Function Surveillance, Track and Guidance Radar (MFSTAR). The warships will also have helicopter-operating capabilities.
These systems are intended to support a range of naval missions, including ship-to-ship and ship-to-surface missile attacks, anti-missile defence, anti-submarine warfare, escort operations, maritime interdiction and local naval defence. The vessels will also be designed to undertake Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations.
GRSE’s Existing Naval Shipbuilding Projects
GRSE is currently constructing nine warships for the Indian Navy. These include an advanced guided-missile frigate under Project 17A, four Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWCs) and four Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels.
In addition to these nine warships, the shipyard is executing orders for 36 other platforms, including 13 vessels for export markets.
GRSE has delivered 118 warships to the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and friendly foreign countries over its operating history. The company also undertakes ship repair and engineering activities, including the manufacture of prefabricated steel bridges, deck machinery and marine diesel engine-related equipment.
Contract Strengthens India’s Indigenous Defence Manufacturing
The ₹32,000 crore agreement expands GRSE’s role in India’s domestic naval shipbuilding industry. The construction of five Next Generation Corvettes is expected to contribute to the country’s indigenous warship-building capabilities and support the broader objective of strengthening domestic defence manufacturing.
The project also builds on GRSE’s experience in constructing guided-missile and anti-submarine warfare corvettes. The new vessels are planned to incorporate enhanced capabilities, advanced sensors and sophisticated weapons systems to meet the Indian Navy’s maritime operational requirements.
