Kolkata: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, added another milestone to its distinguished shipbuilding legacy with the launch of ‘Shruti’, the second Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) being built by the shipyard for the Indian Navy, on August 11, 2026.
Coming less than three months after the launch of Sanghmitra, the first NGOPV from GRSE, on May 20, 2026, the occasion reflects the steady momentum achieved by GRSE in executing this prestigious programme.
GRSE is constructing four NGOPVs as part of the Indian Navy’s 11-ship NGOPV programme. The newly launched warship, named ‘Shruti’, was formally launched by Manika Sadhu, wife of Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, AVSM, NM, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition (CWP&A), Indian Navy, amidst traditional rituals and the chanting of Vedic shlokas. Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
The others present at the occasion were Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE along with Cdr Shantanu Bose, IN(Retd.), Director (Shipbuilding), Capt (IN) P Sunilkumar, (Retd.), Director (Corporate Planning & Personnel), Niranjan Bhalerao, Director (Finance), Abhishek Ranjan, IOFS, CVO and other senior officials of Indian Navy and GRSE.
The name ‘Shruti’ means “that which is heard”. In the Indian tradition, the term ‘Shruti’ is used to refer to the four Vedas, the ancient scriptures that have been preserved through oral tradition over generations and occupy a central place in India’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
The NGOPVs are significantly larger and more capable than the Offshore Patrol Vessels built earlier, offering enhanced endurance, firepower and operational versatility. Measuring about 113 metres in length and 14.6 metres in width, with a displacement of 3,000 Tons, they will achieve speeds of up to 23 knots and have an endurance of 8,500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 14 knots.
Designed for a wide range of maritime operations, the NGOPVs will undertake coastal and offshore asset protection, maritime interdiction, surveillance, VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure), mine warfare and special operations. They will also be deployed for Out of Area Contingency Operations, anti-piracy, counter-infiltration, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), search and rescue missions, besides supporting hospital, COMINT and fleet maintenance roles.
Vice Admiral Sadhu mentioned, “The Navy’s responsibility is not only to defend our national interests; it is also to ensure freedom of navigation, security of our sea lanes, and the uninterrupted flow of energy and essential goods to and from India. Over the last decade, thanks to the Government and its important policy initiatives, we have made remarkable progress in creating a vibrant and increasingly technologically advanced defence manufacturing and shipbuilding ecosystem. And in this journey, ladies and gentlemen, GRSE has occupied a very, very special place. In 1961, GRSE delivered INS Ajay to us. It was the first indigenously built platform. Since then, over the last several decades, the Indian Navy has received more than 110 warships from GRSE, while GRSE has built over 800 ships and platforms for the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, export customers and other countries. On account of all these accomplishments, GRSE was also accorded Navratna status in June 2026, which I think is a great honour and recognition of the consistent vision, hard work and steadfast commitment of its personnel, both past and present. The launch of Shruti today is yet another reflection of the professionalism, competence and commitment of Team GRSE.”
Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, highlighted the expansion plans of the shipyard and its commitment to Aatmanirbharta and self-reliance.
He also said, “Shruti, as she shall be named in a few moments from now, belongs to the Naval Ship of Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel project, of which four vessels are being constructed by GRSE. Unlike her predecessors, the Sukanya class OPVs or the indigenously built Saryu class OPVs, these ships are much larger, have much longer endurance and are packed with state-of-the-art equipment and sensors, not to mention a potent weapon fit. While the entire shipyard is brimming with activity, last year was an exciting year for us, when we delivered eight warships and launched one warship. This year shall be equally exciting, when we will deliver five warships and launch four vessels.”
