Kolkata, Aug 11 (NVI): The Indian Navy’s next-generation offshore patrol vessel (NGOPV) ‘Shruti’ was launched at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) here on Tuesday, marking another milestone in the country’s drive towards indigenous warship construction.
The vessel, designated Yard 3037, was launched by Manika Sadhu in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition, the Navy said.
Senior officials from the Indian Navy, Ministry of Defence and GRSE attended the launch ceremony, which was conducted in accordance with naval traditions and ethos.
The NGOPVs are being constructed concurrently at GRSE in Kolkata and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) in Goa. The indigenously designed and built vessels are intended to augment the Navy’s existing offshore patrol vessel fleet and undertake a range of maritime missions.
The vessels will be deployed for maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations, protection of offshore assets, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), and anti-piracy missions, officials said.
The ship has been named ‘Shruti’, drawing from India’s rich heritage and referring to the four Vedas. Its crest features the constellation of Ursa Major along with a red-and-white lighthouse.
The launch of ‘Shruti’ underscores the Indian Navy’s focus on strengthening indigenous shipbuilding capabilities and is in line with the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives.(NVI)
