NGOPV Shreyas, a Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Indian Navy, was launched at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). This note covers NGOPV Shreyas, the NGOPV programme and the shipbuilding facts examiners like to test.
Why in News?
The Indian Navy’s next-generation offshore patrol vessel ‘Shreyas’ was launched at GRSE, Kolkata, another milestone in indigenous warship building.
NGOPVs are being built concurrently at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and GRSE.
NGOPV Shreyas: Key Facts for Prelims
- NGOPVs are indigenously designed and built to augment the Navy’s existing offshore patrol vessel fleet.
- Roles: maritime surveillance, search and rescue, protection of offshore assets (oil rigs, EEZ installations), HADR and anti-piracy missions.
- Contracts for 11 NGOPVs were signed by the Ministry of Defence in 2023 – 7 with GSL and 4 with GRSE – under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.
- Shreyas is the third NGOPV launched, freeing larger frigates and destroyers for blue-water tasks.
- Launch means the hull enters water for outfitting; commissioning comes later when the ship formally joins the fleet with the prefix ‘INS’.
Shipyards and indigenisation – static links
- GRSE (Kolkata): Defence PSU under the Ministry of Defence; first Indian shipyard to export a warship (CGS Barracuda to Mauritius) and to deliver 100 warships.
- GSL (Goa) and Cochin Shipyard, Mazagon Dock (Mumbai) and Hindustan Shipyard (Visakhapatnam) are other public sector yards.
- DAP 2020: ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ is the highest procurement priority – Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured.
- Positive Indigenisation Lists bar import of listed items after set timelines.
- India’s EEZ is about 2.02 million sq km – offshore patrol vessels guard this zone under UNCLOS.
Quick Revision Table: NGOPV Shreyas
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel | NGOPV Shreyas (third NGOPV) |
| Builders | GRSE and Goa Shipyard Limited |
| Total ordered | 11 NGOPVs (7 GSL + 4 GRSE) |
| Category | Buy (Indian-IDDM), DAP 2020 |
| Key roles | Surveillance, SAR, offshore asset protection, HADR, anti-piracy |
| Launch vs commissioning | Launch = hull in water; commissioning = joins fleet |
Trap / Confusing Points: NGOPV Shreyas
| Confusion | Correct Position |
|---|---|
| Launch means the ship is in service | No – it is only floated out; commissioning comes later |
| NGOPVs are built only at GRSE | No – concurrently at GSL and GRSE |
| OPVs are blue-water strike ships | No – they handle EEZ patrol and constabulary roles |
| GRSE is under the Ministry of Shipping | No – it is a Defence PSU under the Ministry of Defence |
5 Practice MCQs on NGOPV Shreyas
1. NGOPV Shreyas was launched at which shipyard?
a. Mazagon Dock
b. Cochin Shipyard
c. Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers
d. Hindustan Shipyard
Ans: C
Explanation: Shreyas was launched at GRSE, Kolkata.
2. Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels are being built concurrently by:
a. GRSE and Goa Shipyard Limited
b. MDL and CSL
c. HSL and L&T
d. CSL and GSL
Ans: A
Explanation: Seven NGOPVs are ordered from GSL and four from GRSE.
3. Which of the following is NOT a primary role of an offshore patrol vessel?
a. Search and rescue
b. Protection of offshore assets
c. Strategic nuclear deterrence
d. Anti-piracy
Ans: C
Explanation: Nuclear deterrence is handled by SSBNs; OPVs perform constabulary roles.
4. ‘IDDM’ in defence procurement stands for:
a. Indian Designed, Developed and Manufactured
b. Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured
c. Integrated Defence Development Mission
d. Indian Defence Design Manual
Ans: B
Explanation: Buy (Indian-IDDM) is the top priority category in DAP 2020.
5. The first Indian shipyard to export a warship is:
a. Goa Shipyard Limited
b. Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers
c. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders
d. Cochin Shipyard Limited
Ans: B
Explanation: GRSE exported CGS Barracuda to Mauritius.
Exam tip: Link NGOPV Shreyas with DAP 2020 categories and the launch–commissioning difference; prelims often test these concepts rather than ship names.
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