**Summary: Launch of First Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (Yard 1280, Shachi)**
On March 31, 2026, the Ministry of Defence announced the launch of **Yard 1280 (Shachi)**, the first of eleven Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs), at M/s Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) in Goa. The vessel was launched by Mrs. Shagun Sobti in the presence of Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff.
**Project Overview and Construction**
The NGOPV project involves the construction of **11 vessels** being built concurrently at two shipyards:
* Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), Goa
* Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata
**Operational Capabilities and Purpose**
These indigenously built ships are designed to augment the Indian Navy’s existing fleet of ten OPVs/NOPVs. They are intended for multi-domain operations, including:
* Maritime defense and surveillance
* Search and rescue missions
* Protection of offshore assets
* Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
* Anti-piracy missions
**Symbolism and Design**
The vessel names are derived from Indian mythology; ‘Shachi’ translates to “one who renders assistance.” The ship's crest features a red and white lighthouse and the Ursa Major constellation.
**Strategic Alignment**
The project represents a significant milestone in indigenous shipbuilding, aligning with the Government of India’s **‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’** (Self-reliant India) and **‘Make in India’** initiatives.
**Document Details**
* **Posted By:** PIB Delhi
* **Release ID:** 2247343
* **Visitor Counter:** 378
* **Availability:** Also available in Urdu
Key Entities Referenced
Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs): A project involving the indigenous construction of eleven naval ships designed for surveillance, search and rescue, and anti-piracy missions.
Indian Navy: The primary military service for which the indigenous shipbuilding project is undertaken to augment multi-domain operational capabilities.
Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), Goa: The shipyard responsible for the construction and launch of 'Shachi', the first vessel in the NGOPV series.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: A national initiative for self-reliance that provides the strategic vision for the indigenous development and construction of these naval assets.
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata: The shipyard concurrently undertaking the construction of the NGOPV fleet alongside GSL.
Ministry of Defence
LAUNCH OF FIRST NEXT GENERATION
OFFSHORE PATROL VESSEL (YARD 1280,
SHACHI) AT M/S GSL, GOA
Posted On: 31 MAR 2026 6:48PM by PIB Delhi
Yard 1280 (Shachi), the first of eleven Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs), was
launched at M/s GSL, Goa on 31 Mar 2026 by Mrs Shagun Sobti, in the presence of VAdm Tarun Sobti,
Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff.
The event was conducted with full naval traditions. Senior dignitaries from the Indian Navy, Ministry of
Defence, and GSL attended the occasion.
The construction of NGOPVs is being undertaken concurrently at two shipyards (GSL, Goa & GRSE,
Kolkata). These indigenously built ships will augment the existing ten OPVs/ NOPVs for multi-
domain operations, such as defence & surveillance, search and rescue, protection of offshore assets,
HADR and anti-piracy missions. These ships derive their names from Indian mythology, with first
ship (ex-GSL) being named as ‘Shachi’, meaning one who renders assistance. The crest design of
NGOPVs depicts the constellation of Ursa Major and a red and white 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’ initiatives.****
VM/SKY
(Release ID: 2247343) Visitor Counter : 378
Read this release in: Urdu