Centre Clears Rs 40,000 Crore Project to Build Eight Stealth Ships for Indian Navy

Cabinet Committee on Security Approves Major Defence Project

According to reports, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has cleared a project worth over Rs 40,000 crore to construct eight Next-Generation Corvettes (NGCs) for the Indian Navy. The indigenous warship programme aims to strengthen maritime capabilities and provide a significant boost to domestic defence manufacturing.

The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts by the government to modernize the naval fleet and address evolving security dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region. Official sources indicate that contracts are expected to be formalized with designated state-owned shipyards in the coming days.

Key Features of the Next-Generation Corvettes

Corvettes are traditionally designed as compact, fast, and heavily armed surface combatants utilized primarily for coastal defence, surveillance, and patrol duties. Based on reported specifications, the planned warships will include:

• Design and Dimensions: 2,000-tonne high-speed surface combatants capable of reaching speeds around 30 knots.
• Stealth Capabilities: An entirely new stealth architecture developed in-house by the Indian Navy using advanced shipbuilding technologies.
• Operational Adaptability: Multi-role platforms equipped for anti-surface, anti-submarine, and anti-air warfare missions.

Indigenous Manufacturing and Economic Impact

The project emphasizes domestic production, aligning with the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. Key highlights of the production plan include:

• Local Content: More than 70 percent indigenous content integrated into the manufacturing process.
• Shipyard Allocation: Construction responsibilities divided between Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
• Economic Growth: Long-term order book visibility expected to generate direct and indirect employment opportunities across micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Timeline and Verification

Reports state that construction on the first corvette is expected to commence within a year, with delivery targeted for 2030. Observers and citizens can verify official defence procurements and updates through public releases issued by the Ministry of Defence and official government portals.