The defence ministry on Monday signed contracts worth ₹ 53,867 crore with two public sector yards to boost the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities with eight next-generation corvettes, the defence ministry said.
“The project marks a significant milestone in India’s indigenous warship design and construction capabilities as it is the first project in which the ships will be indigenously designed by the Indian Navy and constructed by defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) selected through a competitive process,” the defence ministry said in a statement.
“By promoting the use of Made-in-India materials and equipment, indigenous technologies, and Indian skills and expertise, the project represents a major step towards achieving Atmanirbharta in defence manufacturing and reinforces the government’s commitment to Make-in-India. Indigenisation remains a key government priority. The destroyers will possess modern-day warfare capabilities and enhance the combat capability of the navy. The defence ministry did not specify the numbers, but the navy’s last batch of Project-15B warships comprised four destroyers.
“Great news for India’s indigenous shipbuilding ecosystem. The next-generation corvettes (NGCs) project for the Indian Navy will provide a significant impetus to India’s shipbuilding sector by strengthening collaboration among DPSUs, private shipyards and Indian industrial partners, including MSMEs,” defence minister Rajnath Singh wrote on X.
Inducting these warships will significantly enhance the navy’s operational capabilities in safeguarding maritime trade routes, conducting anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, strengthening coastal defence, undertaking littoral combat operations, and carrying out maritime presence and surveillance missions, the defence ministry said.
