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105 meter, Off Shore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ICGS Samarth, 10 November 2015, lead ship of a class of 11, photo Indian Coast Guard
Naval Today reports, “The Indian Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Mazagon Dockyard Shipbuilders (MDL) for the construction of six next-generation offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).”
The six new ships are to be 115 meters (377′) in length, about the size of the Hamilton class cutters. I have not been able to find any additional information on their characteristics, but historically, Indian CG OPVs evolve from preceding designs, so I expect they will share many characteristics with the preceding 105 meter class pictured above and the 97 meter Vikram class; e.g. speed 23 to 26 knots; powered by two diesel engines; armed with a 30mm gun; hangar and flight deck for at least a five ton helicopter.
As for what they change, “Along with several high-tech advanced features and equipment, these 115m OPVS would be equipped with multipurpose drones, AI capability, and wirelessly controlled remote water rescue craft lifebuoy.”
The six ships are to be designed and delivered in 66 months. From contract to completion of six ships in five and a half years may sound like a tight schedule considering the US Coast Guard’s recent experience. Looking back on the previous class of eleven ships, procured in two batches, it looks possible. A $400M contract to build six vessels was awarded to GSL on 9 May 2012. All six were commissioned by 21 December 2017, less than 68 months after contract award. A follow-on contract for five ships was awarded in August 2016. The fifth ship was commissioned 16 March 2022, about 67 months from award to completion of five ships.
India benefits from the near continuous construction of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). Over the last ten years, 22 Indian built OPVs were commissioned, 18 for the Indian Coast Guard, two for the Indian Navy, and two for export.
In addition to these six OPVs, the Indian Navy is also building eleven similarly named but different 105 to 110 meter “Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels.“
