The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved a project worth more than ₹40,000 crore for the construction of eight next-generation corvettes for the Indian Navy. The approval was given earlier this week, according to a report by The Indian Express, and construction contracts are expected to be finalised with two state-owned shipyards.
The vessels will be built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) in Goa. The project is based on an indigenous design developed by the Indian Navy and forms part of the wider effort to expand maritime security capabilities through domestic warship construction.
Multirole ships for coastal and ocean surveillance
The eight corvettes are planned as multirole surface combatants for operations across the Indian Ocean Region. The project is intended to strengthen the Navy’s ability to monitor maritime activity, respond to surface and underwater threats, and protect India’s coastal and wider maritime interests.
According to the details reported by The Indian Express, the ships are expected to be fast and agile, with a projected speed of around 30 knots. Their planned missions include anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance and reconnaissance, search-and-attack operations, and coastal and littoral defence.
| Programme detail | Information reported |
|---|---|
| Number of corvettes | Eight |
| Project value | More than ₹40,000 crore |
| Shipyards | GRSE and Goa Shipyard Limited |
| Design | Indigenous design developed by the Indian Navy |
| Expected speed | Around 30 knots |
| Delivery schedule | Deliveries scheduled to begin by 2030 |
Procurement approval precedes construction contracts
The CCS decision marks a major stage in the defence procurement process, but it is not itself the signing of the construction contracts. The government is expected to sign agreements with GRSE and GSL in the next stage of the programme. The approval therefore establishes the project and its broad industrial framework, while contract finalisation will precede the start of shipbuilding.
Modern corvettes are smaller than frigates and destroyers, but can carry systems for several naval roles. The vessels planned under this programme are expected to use equipment such as advanced radars, electronic warfare systems, anti-ship missiles, air-defence systems and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, as described in the reported programme details.
- Eight next-generation corvettes have received CCS approval.
- GRSE and Goa Shipyard Limited are expected to construct the warships.
- The ships are planned for surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, coastal defence and other multirole missions.
The programme is expected to support sustained surveillance across the Indian Ocean Region and improve the Navy’s capacity to detect and respond to surface and underwater threats. Deliveries are scheduled to begin by 2030, although further specifications and the detailed construction schedule have not been disclosed in the reported approval.
