Cochin Shipyard Lays Keel for First Next Generation Missile Vessel for Indian Navy

21 September 2026
Edited By: Haley McQueen

Keel laying of the first Next Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) (BY 531) project being built for Indian Navy was held at Cochin Shipyard Limited by Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, AVSM, NM, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition from Integrated Headquarters, (Indian Navy) on September 18, 2026 in the presence of Shri Jose V J, Chairman and Managing Director, CSL, Rear Admiral Kapil Mehta, ACWP & A, Dr. S Harikrishnan, Director (Operations) CSL, Flag Officers and senior officials from Southern Naval Command. Officials from the Warship Overseeing Team, representatives from the Indian Register of Shipping, other senior officials from CSL and the Indian Navy, and supervisors and Workers of CSL were also present for the ceremony. The keel laying marks a significant milestone in the construction of the vessel and symbolizes the formal commencement of its construction.

(Image credit: Cochin Shipyard Limited)

CSL has six Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV) in its order book under the contract signed with the Indian Navy on March 30, 2023.

This marks CSL’s entry into the construction of advanced weapon-intensive platforms for the Indian Navy in line with the Government’s initiative of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. These ships are envisaged as high-speed vessels with a formidable array of weapons and sensors, including a surface-to-surface missile system, anti-missile defense system, air surveillance, and fire-control radars. The primary role of the NGMV would be to provide offensive capability against enemy warships, merchantmen, and land targets.

These ships will be capable of conducting Maritime Strike Operations and Anti-Surface Warfare Operations, and would be a potent instrument of sea denial for enemy ships, especially at choke points. In a defensive role, these ships would be employed for Local Naval Defense operations and Seaward Defense of Offshore Development Area. The vessels will also be equipped with highly advanced state-of-the-art integrated platform management systems, propulsion machinery, auxiliary machinery, power generation and distribution machinery, and damage control machinery. The ship will have a complement of 80 personnel and a maximum speed of 33 knots.