Panaji, Oct 27: Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) on Tuesday launched Srishti (Yard 1283), a Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) built for the Indian Navy, at its facility at Vaddem, Goa, Defence Watch and India Defence Wire reported.
Source: Defence Watch
Sandeepa Sahay ceremonially launched the vessel, with Vishvajit Sahay, Secretary (Defence Finance), attending as chief guest, alongside senior officials from the Indian Navy, the Ministry of Defence and GSL, SSBCrack reported.
Source: SSBCrack
Srishti is the fourth NGOPV under construction at Goa Shipyard. In Sanskrit, the name means 'creation'. The class is named to reflect elements of India's cultural traditions, and the ship's crest carries the Ursa Major constellation alongside a red-and-white lighthouse, SSBCrack reported.
A launch is a construction milestone, not entry into service: the hull floats for the first time, and fitting out, harbour trials and sea trials follow before the Navy takes delivery and the ship is commissioned, India Defence Wire explained.
Source: India Defence Wire
The NGOPVs are indigenously designed and built to strengthen the Navy's offshore patrol fleet. Their listed roles include maritime surveillance, protection of offshore assets, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and anti-piracy missions, according to GSL's programme description reported by Devdiscourse.
Source: Devdiscourse
GSL Chairman and Managing Director Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay highlighted the shipyard's commitment to delivering quality naval platforms to the Navy's requirements, Defence Watch reported. The programme is presented as part of the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India push for domestic defence manufacturing.
What happens next: Srishti moves into outfitting and trials at Goa. No commissioning date was announced in the launch reports.