NGMV Keel Laying : First Missile Vessel for Indian Navy

NGMV Keel Laying Begins Naval Vessel Construction

The NGMV Keel Laying ceremony for the first ship under the Indian Navy’s Next Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) project took place at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, on 18 September 2026. Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition, attended the ceremony as Chief Guest.

Senior officials from the Indian Navy and CSL also participated in the event. The construction contract for the NGMVs was signed with CSL in March 2023.

The vessels are planned to carry state-of-the-art weapons and sensors. These capabilities are intended to strengthen the Indian Navy’s combat capabilities and support its objective of remaining a future-ready and combat-ready force.

Indigenous Defence Shipbuilding

The NGMV Keel Laying also highlights India’s growing indigenous capacity in naval shipbuilding. According to the supplied source, all major role-defining equipment for the project is being developed and manufactured indigenously.

The project reflects the Government of India’s emphasis on Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and Make for the World. It also supports efforts to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.

The NGMV programme is intended to contribute to a stronger and modernised Indian Navy capable of operating in the complex maritime environment of the Indian Ocean Region.

The ceremony therefore represents an important stage in the construction of the first vessel under the NGMV project. It combines naval modernisation with indigenous defence production and shipbuilding capabilities.