NEW DELHI, — The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a project worth over ₹40,000 crore for the construction of eight Next-Generation Corvettes (NGCs) for the Indian Navy. The approval is aimed at strengthening the Navy’s surface fleet and maritime security capabilities.
The warships will be constructed by two state-owned shipyards. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata will build five corvettes, while Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) will construct the remaining three. Contracts with both shipyards are expected to be signed in the coming days.
Next-Generation Corvette Capabilities
The NGCs will be multi-role stealth warships based on a new indigenous design developed in-house by the Indian Navy. Each vessel is expected to displace around 2,000 tonnes and achieve a top speed of approximately 30 knots.
The ships will incorporate modern shipbuilding technologies and stealth features, supporting missions such as surveillance, escort operations, deterrence, Surface Action Group (SAG) operations, search and attack missions, and coastal defence.
The corvettes will also undertake anti-surface, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare, maritime patrol, and search and rescue operations across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Construction and Delivery Timeline
The project will feature more than 70 per cent indigenous content, supporting domestic defence manufacturing under the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Construction of the first corvette is expected to begin within a year of contract signing, with the Indian Navy targeting 2030 for the first delivery. The shipyards are examining options to accelerate construction and deliver the vessels earlier. The remaining seven ships are expected to be delivered over the following years.
The project received its initial Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) from the Defence Acquisition Council in June 2022, when its estimated cost was around ₹36,000 crore.
Commercial bids were opened on May 21, 2025, with GRSE emerging as the lowest bidder (L1). Under the bid structure, GRSE was allotted five ships, while the second-lowest bidder, GSL, was allocated the remaining three at the same unit cost.
Replacing Older Warships
The new corvettes will complement the Indian Navy’s existing four Kamorta-class anti-submarine warfare corvettes and are intended to succeed older Khukri and Kora-class ships.
The project is expected to provide long-term work for GRSE and GSL, support numerous micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through the domestic supply chain, and generate direct and indirect employment.
The programme also supports the government’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and the Indian Navy’s efforts to modernise its surface fleet and strengthen maritime security across the Indian Ocean Region.
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