India Approves Purchase of Six Next-gen Offshore Patrol Vessels for $706 Million

The Indian defense acquisition council (DAC) headed by the defense minister, Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday approved the acquisition of six next-generation offshore patrol vessels (NGOPVs) from Indian shipbuilders for an approximate ₹4941 crore (US $706 million) for the Indian Navy.

The MoD had issued a request for information (RFI) to procure Six NGOPVs class of ships from Indian Shipyards in January this year.

The NGOPVs should be capable of Protection of Offshore Assets, Maritime Interception Operations (MIO) and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations, Presence-cum-surveillance Missions, Mine Warfare (through modular payload) Helo Operation and Support of Special Operations, the RFI stated.