Next Generation Corvettes

Context

On 2 November 2026, the Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth ₹53,866.50 crore with Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the construction of eight Next Generation Corvettes for the Indian Navy. The project aims to strengthen India’s maritime security and indigenous warship-building capabilities

About Project 28A

1. Project 28A is the Indian Navy’s programme for developing and constructing eight Next Generation Corvettes.
2. Shipyard Allocation: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata, will construct five corvettes, while Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) will construct the remaining three.
3. Indigenous Design: It is the first project in which ships will be indigenously designed by the Indian Navy and constructed by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) selected through a competitive process.

Corvettes

1. Corvettes are relatively small, fast and heavily armed naval warships, generally smaller than frigates and destroyers.
2. They are designed for coastal defence, maritime surveillance, patrol and combat operations.
3. Modern corvettes can be equipped with advanced missiles, guns, radars, sonar and anti-submarine warfare systems.
4. They can operate in coastal waters as well as undertake selected missions in wider maritime areas.

Roles and Operational Capabilities

The NGCs are designed for multi-role naval operations, including:

1. Offensive Operations: Ship-to-ship and ship-to-surface missile attacks against hostile targets.
2. Anti-Missile Defence: Protecting themselves and other naval assets against incoming missile threats.
3. Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW): Detecting, tracking and engaging hostile submarines.
4. Escort Duties: Providing protection to merchant vessels and other naval ships.
5. Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO): Conducting Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations to prevent illegal maritime activities.
6. Local Naval Defence: Protecting coastal areas, naval installations and maritime approaches.

Propulsion System

1. The corvettes will use a Combined Diesel and Gas (CODAG) propulsion system with a Cross-Connect gearbox (CODAG-CC).
2. It will drive two Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPPs), allowing adjustments to propeller blade angles for efficient propulsion and manoeuvrability.

Weapons and Sensor Systems

A. Weapons Systems

1. Medium-Range Anti-Ship Missiles: To engage hostile surface vessels.
2. Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM): To counter aerial threats, including aircraft and missiles.
3. 324 mm Torpedo Tubes: To engage hostile submarines.
4. OTO Melara 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM): For naval surface engagements and defence against aerial threats.
5. AK-630 Close-In Weapon System (CIWS): A close-range defence system against incoming missiles and other threats.
6. 12.7 mm Stabilised Remote-Controlled Guns (SRCGs): For close-range defence, integrated with an Electro-Optic-based Fire Control System (EOFCS).

   b.Sensor Systems

1. Electro-Optical Infrared Search and Track (EOIRST): Helps detect and track targets using infrared and electro-optical technology.
2. Multi-Function Surveillance, Track and Guidance Radar (MFSTAR): Supports surveillance, target tracking and weapon guidance.

Significance for India

1. Strengthening Maritime Security: Enhances India’s ability to protect its coastline, maritime approaches and strategic interests in the Indian Ocean Region.
2. Improving Naval Combat Capabilities: Provides advanced capabilities in anti-submarine warfare, missile defence and surface combat.
3. Protecting Maritime Trade: Strengthens the Navy’s ability to safeguard sea lines of communication and merchant shipping.
4. Promoting Aatmanirbharta: Encourages indigenous warship design, construction and development of domestic defence technologies.
5. Boost to Shipbuilding Industry: Strengthens the capabilities of GRSE, GSL and their domestic industrial supply chains.
6. Employment Generation: The project is expected to generate approximately 72 lakh person-days of employment in shipyards and 460 lakh person-days in ancillary industries and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) over the next decade.

Challenges in India’s Warship-Building Ecosystem

1. Technological Dependence: Dependence on foreign sources for certain advanced propulsion systems, sensors and weapons can affect strategic autonomy.
2. Project Delays: Complex procurement processes and supply-chain disruptions can delay construction and induction.
3. Limited Industrial Capacity: Shipyards require continuous modernisation, skilled manpower and specialised manufacturing facilities.
4. Research and Development Gaps: Greater investment is needed in indigenous propulsion, radar, sonar and advanced combat systems.
5. Maintenance Requirements: Advanced warships require sustained maintenance, repair and technological upgradation throughout their service life.

Way Forward

1. Strengthen Indigenous Technology: Promote domestic development of propulsion systems, sensors, weapons and naval electronics.
2. Expand Industrial Participation: Encourage private shipyards, MSMEs and start-ups to participate in defence manufacturing.
3. Ensure Timely Delivery: Improve procurement efficiency, project monitoring and coordination between the Navy and shipyards.
4. Promote Research and Development: Strengthen collaboration among the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), academic institutions and industry.
5. Develop Lifecycle Support: Build domestic capabilities for maintenance, repair, overhaul and modernisation of naval platforms.

FAQs

Q1. What is Project 28A?
Ans: It is the Indian Navy’s Next Generation Corvettes programme for the construction of eight indigenous warships.

Q2. How many corvettes will be constructed under Project 28A?
Ans: Eight corvettes will be constructed under Project 28A.

Q3. Which shipyards will construct the corvettes?
Ans: GRSE will construct five, while GSL will construct three.

Q4. What is the significance of Project 28A’s design and construction model?
Ans: It is the first project in which the ships will be indigenously designed by the Indian Navy and constructed by DPSUs selected through a competitive process.

Q5. What are the major roles of the NGCs?
Ans: Anti-submarine warfare, anti-missile defence, offensive missile operations, escort duties, maritime interdiction and local naval defence.

Q6. What is CODAG-CC?
Ans: It is a propulsion arrangement combining diesel engines and gas turbines through a cross-connect gearbox to drive the ship’s propellers.