The Ministry of Defence marked a major milestone on 18 September 2026 when the first ship of the Indian Navy’s Next Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) programme was formally laid down at Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi. The event signals the start of construction for a new class of warships designed to strengthen India’s naval capabilities. Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, who oversees warship production and acquisition for the Navy, presided over the ceremony.
Key details of the NGMV project
Cochin Shipyard Limited signed a contract in March 2023 to build these new vessels. The NGMVs will be outfitted with modern weapon systems and sensor technology to substantially improve the fighting power of the Indian Navy. A core feature of the programme is that all major equipment defining the ship’s role and capability has been developed and will be manufactured within India, rather than imported.
The project reflects India’s broader policy direction under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, which aim to reduce dependence on foreign defence suppliers and grow India’s domestic military-industrial base.
What this means for you
For Indian citizens, this development represents a step toward a stronger, self-reliant Navy capable of protecting India’s maritime interests across the Indian Ocean. The use of Indian-made defence equipment in these vessels supports domestic manufacturing and defence jobs. As India operates in complex and contested maritime zones, modern warships like the NGMV enhance the country’s ability to respond to regional security challenges. The project also demonstrates how government investment in defence manufacturing can build long-term technological capacity within India.