GRSE Secures $2.9 Billion Contract to Build Five Next-Generation Corvettes for Indian Navy

In a landmark development for India’s naval modernization efforts, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) has been awarded a major contract by the Indian Ministry of Defence to construct five state-of-the-art Next-Generation Corvettes (NGCs) for the Indian Navy. Valued at approximately $2.9 billion (INR 24,500 crore), this deal represents one of the largest orders ever placed on an Indian shipyard and marks a significant leap in India's journey toward achieving maritime self-reliance under the "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" initiative.

Strengthening the Indian Navy’s Surface Fleet

The Next-Generation Corvettes are being acquired under Project 17B, part of the Indian Navy’s broader strategy to enhance its surface combatant strength. Designed to perform a wide spectrum of missions — from coastal surveillance and anti-surface warfare to anti-submarine and limited area air defense roles — these versatile platforms are expected to operate as formidable force multipliers in littoral and open-sea scenarios alike.

The NGCs will be equipped with cutting-edge technologies and stealth features including low radar cross-sections, infrared signatures, and acoustic suppression systems. Their design will incorporate modern hull forms optimized for stealth and survivability in contested environments. The ships will also house the latest indigenous weapon systems, including surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, close-in weapon systems (CIWS), advanced sensors, and an integrated combat management system (CMS).

GRSE: A Pillar of Indigenous Shipbuilding

The Kolkata-based GRSE, a premier public sector shipyard under the Ministry of Defence, has a proven track record in delivering complex naval platforms. It was one of the key contributors to the earlier Kamorta-class (Project 28) ASW corvettes and has successfully constructed over 100 warships to date — the highest by any Indian shipyard.

With this contract, GRSE cements its position as a core strategic partner in India's naval indigenization efforts. According to the company, the construction of these five corvettes will also generate substantial employment opportunities, involving over 2,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs across ancillary industries, including MSMEs and local vendors.

Indigenous Content and Technological Leap

The Next-Generation Corvettes are expected to have an indigenous content of over 80%, underscoring India’s commitment to reducing foreign dependence in critical defense technologies. This includes the integration of Indian-made engines, sensors, weapons, and electronic warfare systems.

Key expected features include:

• Length: Approximately 110–120 meters

• Displacement: Between 2,500 and 3,000 tons

• Speed: In excess of 25 knots

• Range: Over 4,000 nautical miles

• Crew Capacity: Around 120 personnel

• Armament: BrahMos or similar supersonic missiles, Barak-8 or VL-SRSAM systems, torpedoes, and CIWS

• Aviation Facility: Flight deck and hangar for one multi-role helicopter

These advanced platforms will bring enhanced situational awareness, rapid threat neutralization, and increased operational readiness to the Indian Navy's Eastern and Western fleets.

Strategic and Geopolitical Implications

The acquisition of these Next-Generation Corvettes comes at a time of heightened security concerns in the Indo-Pacific, particularly with increased Chinese naval activity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). These ships are expected to play a crucial role in enhancing India’s presence and influence in strategic chokepoints and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), bolstering maritime domain awareness and freedom of navigation.

Moreover, the emphasis on indigenous design and production underlines India’s aspirations to not only cater to its defense needs domestically but also emerge as a global supplier of naval platforms under the "Make in India for the World" initiative.

The delivery of the first Next-Generation Corvette is expected within 5–6 years, with the remaining ships being delivered sequentially thereafter. The successful execution of this contract will further pave the way for similar indigenous projects such as the Next-Generation Destroyers (NGDs), Multi-Purpose Vessels, and Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), which are currently on the drawing board.

As India continues to invest in modernizing its naval fleet to secure its maritime frontiers and interests, the GRSE contract for five Next-Generation Corvettes stands as a defining milestone — one that combines strategic foresight, indigenous innovation, and industrial capability to shape the future of Indian naval warfare.