Indian Navy Launches NGOPV ‘Sanghmitra’

On 20th May 2026, the Indian Navy launched ‘Sanghmitra’, a Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV), at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers in Kolkata to strengthen indigenous maritime defence capabilities.

Key Points

NGOPV Programme: India is building 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels at Goa Shipyard Limited and GRSE simultaneously.
Operational Roles: The vessels will support maritime surveillance, coastal defence, search and rescue, anti-piracy operations, and humanitarian assistance missions.
Indigenous Development: The ships are indigenously designed and built under India’s self-reliance initiative in defence manufacturing.
Cultural Significance: The vessel is named after Sanghmitra, daughter of Emperor Ashoka.
Ship Crest: The crest features the Ursa Major constellation and a lighthouse symbol.