
Sanghmitra, Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel
(NGOPV), was launched at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE),
Kolkata on 20 May 2026 by Sarita
Vatsayan, in the presence of vice chief of the naval staff, VAdm. Sanjay
Vatsayan. The event was conducted with full naval honours and ceremonial
splendour, reflecting the rich traditions and ethos of the Indian Navy. Senior
dignitaries from the Indian Navy, ministry of defence, and GRSE attended the
occasion.
The construction of 11 NGOPVs is
being undertaken concurrently at two shipyards (GSL, Goa and GRSE, Kolkata).
These indigenously designed and built
ships will augment the existing OPVs/ NOPVs for multi-domain operations,
such as surveillance and defence
in area of interest, search and rescue, protection of offshore assets, HADR,
and anti-piracy missions.
These ships derive their names
from India’s heritage, with this ship being named ‘Sanghmitra’, after the daughter of King Ashoka. The crest design
of the ship depicts the constellation
of Ursa Major and a red and white coloured lighthouse.
This is yet another significant
milestone in Indian Navy’s pursuit towards indigenous shipbuilding and is in
consonance with government of India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiative.