45 warships will be delivered in 3-4 yrs, nod given for 195 naval vessels: Vice Admiral

NEW DELHI: Around 45 ships are under construction within the country and will be delivered in the next 3 to 4 years, Navy vice chief Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsyan has said in Kolkata during the launch of ‘Sanghamitra’, the first of four next-generation offshore patrol vessels (NGOPVs) built by defence PSU Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd for the Navy.Vice Admiral Vatsyan also revealed on Wednesday that the Navy has received in-principle approval for 195 naval vessels as part of future vessel programmes. “We have got Acceptance of Necessity (nod) for another 69 ships, six submarines and another 120 fast interceptor crafts. There is a very big opportunity for the entire defence building ecosystem to deliver quality products in time with the capabilities required by the Indian Navy,” he said.With a big push to self-reliance in production of warships, the Navy, which has expanded its fleet to around 140 vessels, is firmly on track to reach its 155 to 160-ship goal by 2030 and plans to increase its fleet to 200 warships and submarines by 2035 for securing the Indo-Pacific amid the increasing Chinese threat and transition into a dominant-blue-water Navy.NGOPV ‘Sanghamitra’, launched by Sarita Vatsayan, wife of Vice Admiral Vatsayan, is significantly larger and more capable than conventional offshore patrol vessels, with enhanced endurance and firepower, officials said. The vessel is capable of operating in coastal waters for the protection of offshore assets, maritime interdiction and visit, board, search and seizure operations.The vessel measures around 113 metres in length and 14.6 metres in width, with a displacement of 3,000 tonnes, officials said. The ship, they added, has an endurance of 8,500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 14 knots and can achieve a maximum speed of 23 knots.Cmde PR Hari (Retd), chairman & managing director, GRSE, highlighted the technological advances that the shipyard has made adding to enhanced capabilities. “We are kickstarting 2026-27 with the launch of this vessel and this year too will see multiple launches and deliveries,” he said.