Indian Navy to Get Eight Advanced Stealth Corvettes in Rs 40,000-Crore Defence Project

NEW DELHI: India’s maritime defence capabilities are set for a substantial upgrade with the government’s approval of a project to construct eight advanced stealth corvettes for the Indian Navy at an estimated cost exceeding Rs 40,000 crore.

The new vessels are expected to strengthen India’s ability to monitor and respond to emerging security challenges across the Indian Ocean, where growing maritime activity and strategic competition have increased the importance of maintaining a strong naval presence.

The approval was granted by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, earlier this week.

The government is expected to move towards finalising construction contracts with two public sector shipbuilders, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), based in Kolkata, and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).

The programme represents a significant investment in smaller, technologically advanced combat vessels that can undertake multiple assignments without depending entirely on larger frontline warships.

Indigenous design to power the new naval fleet

Unlike conventional patrol vessels, the proposed corvettes will be designed as versatile combat platforms, incorporating stealth features and advanced weapons and surveillance systems.

The Navy has developed the indigenous design internally, reflecting the growing emphasis on domestic expertise in the development of sophisticated defence platforms.

These warships are expected to achieve speeds of approximately 30 knots, giving them the ability to respond quickly to maritime threats and operate effectively in challenging coastal and open-sea environments.

Construction and induction will take place in phases, with the first deliveries expected to begin around 2030.

Multiple combat roles, including submarine detection

Although corvettes are smaller than frigates and destroyers, modern vessels of this category can carry a wide range of sophisticated military equipment. Their compact dimensions do not prevent them from undertaking demanding naval missions.

The planned Indian warships are intended to combine underwater threat detection, surface combat and maritime reconnaissance capabilities.

Their operational responsibilities will include anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, intelligence gathering, coastal security and search-and-attack operations.

They will also contribute to protecting India’s coastal approaches and maintaining security in strategically important maritime areas.

Equipped with modern sensors, electronic warfare technology and advanced weapon systems, the vessels are expected to provide the Navy with greater operational flexibility during both routine deployments and security emergencies.

Greater surveillance across the Indian Ocean

A key objective of the programme is to strengthen India’s ability to maintain a continuous watch over important sea routes and maritime zones in the Indian Ocean Region.

The additional corvettes will expand the Navy’s available surface combat fleet, allowing larger warships to concentrate on more complex strategic assignments rather than being routinely deployed for tasks that smaller vessels can perform.

The new platforms will also complement the Navy’s existing four Kamorta-class corvettes, which were primarily developed for anti-submarine warfare.

With the addition of the new vessels, the Navy expects to improve its capacity to deal with underwater threats, hostile surface ships and potential security challenges near India’s coastline.

Kolkata and Goa shipyards expected to undertake construction

The government is expected to award the construction work to GRSE and GSL following the completion of the necessary contractual formalities.

Both shipyards are important contributors to India’s naval shipbuilding programme.

Their involvement is expected to support domestic manufacturing, strengthen the country’s defence industrial base and generate work for associated engineering and manufacturing industries.

The CCS clearance is a crucial stage in the procurement process, as major defence acquisition proposals require high-level government approval before contracts can be concluded.

The project had earlier received Acceptance of Necessity from the Defence Acquisition Council in June 2022, when its estimated financial requirement was approximately Rs 36,000 crore.

The latest approval places the programme on course for its next implementation stage, with the projected expenditure now exceeding Rs 40,000 crore.

The eight-vessel programme is expected to add a new dimension to the Navy’s operational capabilities, particularly in coastal defence, underwater warfare and maritime surveillance, while advancing India’s broader effort to develop sophisticated warships within the country.