The Ministry of Defence announced the keel-laying ceremony for the fourth of six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) being built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The ceremony took place in Mumbai on June 25, 2026, with attendance from senior officials of both ICG and MDL. These vessels are being indigenously designed, developed, and constructed by MDL with modern machinery and state-of-the-art systems, aligning with the Government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision for self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
The contract for constructing all six Next Generation OPVs was concluded on December 20, 2023. This initiative represents a significant milestone in ICG's ongoing efforts to enhance its operational capabilities and bolster coastal security, thereby strengthening the nation's strategic autonomy. The vessels are expected to significantly upgrade the Coast Guard's maritime surveillance and security operations capabilities.