India has taken a major step towards strengthening its naval capabilities after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a defence project worth more than ₹40,000 crore for the construction of eight Next-Generation Corvettes (NGCs) for the Indian Navy.
The approval marks a significant development in India’s ongoing efforts to modernise its maritime forces and strengthen its presence across the strategically important Indian Ocean Region. According to reports citing senior government officials, construction contracts for the eight warships are expected to be signed in the coming days with two major state-owned shipbuilders, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), Goa.
Under the proposed arrangement, GRSE is expected to construct five corvettes, while Goa Shipyard Limited will build the remaining three. GRSE had emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) when commercial bids for the programme were opened in May 2025, paving the way for the subsequent procurement process.
The Next-Generation Corvettes are being developed as versatile multi-role naval platforms designed to undertake a wide range of maritime operations. These include surveillance missions, escort duties, deterrence operations, Surface Action Group (SAG) missions, search-and-attack operations and coastal defence. The vessels will follow a new indigenous design developed by the Indian Navy and will incorporate modern shipbuilding technologies to meet evolving operational requirements.
According to reported programme details, the corvettes are expected to have a displacement of approximately 2,000 tonnes and a maximum speed of around 30 knots. The Navy is looking to receive the first vessel by 2030, although both shipyards are reportedly exploring ways to accelerate construction and potentially deliver the warships ahead of schedule.
The programme is particularly important for India’s maritime security requirements, as the Indian Ocean Region continues to hold strategic importance for international trade, energy transportation and regional security. The induction of modern corvettes will provide the Navy with additional flexibility to conduct coastal surveillance, protect maritime interests and respond to emerging security challenges.
The project also supports India’s broader SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, which emphasises maritime cooperation, regional stability and security across the Indian Ocean. Modernising the surface fleet will help the Indian Navy maintain operational readiness while expanding its ability to undertake missions across different maritime environments.
The approval is also a significant boost for India’s domestic defence manufacturing industry. With GRSE and Goa Shipyard Limited sharing the construction programme, the project is expected to generate substantial opportunities for indigenous shipbuilding, engineering, equipment manufacturing and associated industrial supply chains.
For GRSE and GSL, the programme represents another important addition to their naval shipbuilding portfolios. It also reinforces the government’s commitment to strengthening domestic defence production under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
With the CCS approval now in place, attention will turn towards the formal signing of contracts and the commencement of construction activities. The eight Next-Generation Corvettes are expected to become an important addition to India’s naval fleet, supporting the country’s long-term maritime security objectives and strengthening its ability to protect national interests in the Indian Ocean Region.
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