India Signs Rs 53,866 Crore Deal for 8 Warships
The Ministry of Defence has signed contracts worth Rs 53,866.50 crore with two government-owned shipbuilders to construct eight Next Generation Corvettes (NGCs) for the Indian Navy. The agreements were signed on November 2, 2026, in New Delhi, marking a significant step towards strengthening India’s maritime capabilities and expanding indigenous defence manufacturing.
GRSE and Goa Shipyard to Build Eight Corvettes
Under the agreements, Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) will construct five corvettes, while Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) will build the remaining three.
The contracts were signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at Kartavya Bhawan-2.
The project is the first in which warships designed indigenously by the Indian Navy will be constructed by defence public sector undertakings selected through competitive bidding.
New Warships to Strengthen Indian Navy’s Firepower
The eight corvettes will feature advanced missile systems, modern weapons and sophisticated sensors capable of supporting operations against aerial, surface and underwater threats.
The vessels are designed for anti-submarine warfare, coastal defence, maritime surveillance and protection of important international shipping routes.
They will also undertake littoral combat operations, strengthening the Navy’s ability to respond to threats in coastal waters.
The induction of these multi-role warships is expected to complement the Navy’s existing fleet and improve its operational capabilities across the Indian Ocean region.
Project to Generate Over 5.3 Crore Person-Days of Employment
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the programme would provide substantial opportunities for domestic shipbuilding and associated industries.
The government estimates that construction will generate approximately 72 lakh person-days of employment at shipyards over the next decade.
Another 460 lakh person-days of employment are expected across ancillary industries and micro, small and medium enterprises.
The project will promote Indian-made equipment, materials and technologies while strengthening cooperation between public sector shipbuilders and private suppliers.
