New Delhi, November 2, 2026: The Ministry of Defence has signed contracts worth ₹53,866.50 crore with Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited and Goa Shipyard Limited for the construction of eight Next Generation Corvettes for the Indian Navy. The agreement marks a major step in India’s indigenous warship design and shipbuilding programme.
GRSE to Build Five, Goa Shipyard Three
Under the contracts, GRSE will construct five corvettes, while Goa Shipyard Limited will build the remaining three.
The contracts were signed in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
First Such Project Designed by Indian Navy
The Defence Ministry said this is the first project in which the ships will be indigenously designed by the Indian Navy and constructed by defence public sector undertakings selected through a competitive process.
The project is being presented as a major milestone in India’s domestic warship design and construction capability.
Corvettes to Carry Advanced Weapons and Sensors
The Next Generation Corvettes will be equipped with advanced missiles, weapons and sensor suites.
These systems are expected to allow the ships to operate across air, surface and sub-surface domains and undertake a wide range of combat and surveillance missions.
Navy’s Anti-Submarine and Coastal Defence Capability to Improve
The new ships are designed to support missions including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance, coastal defence and littoral combat operations.
They will also strengthen the Navy’s ability to protect maritime trade routes and maintain a sustained presence across strategically important waters.
Warships to Complement Kamorta-Class Corvettes
The eight new vessels will complement the Indian Navy’s existing four Kamorta-class corvettes.
The next-generation ships are expected to be faster and more versatile, while reducing some of the operational burden on larger frontline warships.
Project Expected to Generate Large-Scale Employment
The Defence Ministry said construction of the ships is expected to generate around 72 lakh person-days of employment in shipyards over the next decade.
Another 460 lakh person-days of employment could be generated in ancillary industries and MSMEs linked to the project.
Boost for Make in India Defence Manufacturing
The programme is expected to strengthen collaboration between defence PSUs, private shipyards, MSMEs and other Indian industrial partners.
The use of Indian materials, equipment and technologies is also intended to support the government’s broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India goals in defence manufacturing.
Deal Follows Recent Government Approval
The contract comes days after the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the project.
The Defence Acquisition Council had originally granted Acceptance of Necessity for the programme in June 2022 at an estimated cost of around ₹36,000 crore.
The eight Next Generation Corvettes are expected to become an important part of the Indian Navy’s future surface fleet as India continues expanding its indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.
Source: Ministry of Defence, Press Information Bureau, The Indian Express
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