The keel laying ceremony of the first Next Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) for the Indian Navy was held on September 18, 2026. The milestone follows the steel-cutting ceremony for the second NGMV held earlier in September.
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) originally signed a ₹9,804 crore (over $1 billion) contract with the Ministry of Defence in March 2023 for the design and construction of six NGMVs. While steel cutting for the lead vessel began in December 2024, this keel-laying ceremony marks its official physical assembly on the slipway.
The NGMV project represents a major strategic milestone for CSL, marking the shipyard’s maiden venture into building advanced, weapon-intensive combatants. CSL’s defense portfolio includes India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, alongside an ongoing series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), with additional orders expected for Next Generation Survey Vessels.
Combat Capabilities and Weaponry
In a press release, CSL stated that the primary role of the NGMV would be to provide offensive capability against enemy warships, merchantmen and land targets. These ships will be capable of conducting Maritime Strike...