Cochin Shipyard Lays Keel for Next-Generation Missile Vessels

Cochin Shipyard Limited laid the keel for the first of six Next Generation Missile Vessels for the Indian Navy in Kochi on 18 September 2026. The keel-laying ceremony was performed by Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition at the Integrated Headquarters, Indian Navy.

Next Generation Missile Vessels

The Next Generation Missile Vessels are planned as high-speed naval platforms with a maximum speed of 33 knots and a crew complement of 80 personnel. The vessels are designed for offensive operations against enemy warships, merchantmen, and land targets, along with defensive roles in local naval operations and seaward defence.

Weapon and Sensor Fit

The vessels will carry surface-to-surface missile systems, anti-missile defence systems, air surveillance systems, and fire control radars. These systems place the class among weapon-intensive surface combatants in the Indian Navy’s shipbuilding programme.

Contract and Construction Milestones

The Indian Navy signed the contract for six Next Generation Missile Vessels with Cochin Shipyard Limited on 30 March 2023 for an estimated cost of ₹9,805 crore. Steel cutting for the first vessel, BY-531, began in December 2024, and the first ship is scheduled for delivery from March 2027. Steel cutting for the second ship of the project took place at Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi, on 17 September 2026.

Important Facts for Exams

• Keel laying is a major shipbuilding milestone that marks the formal start of hull construction.
• Cochin Shipyard Limited is a major Indian shipyard based in Kochi, Kerala.
• The Indian Navy uses missile vessels for surface warfare and coastal defence roles.
• The project aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing.

Indian Naval Shipbuilding

Warship construction in India involves public sector shipyards, naval design agencies, and the Integrated Headquarters, Indian Navy. The Next Generation Missile Vessels project adds to India’s indigenous naval construction programme.