Cochin Shipyard lays keel for India's first next-generation missile corvette

Cochin Shipyard Ltd held a keel-laying ceremony on Friday to commence building the first of six next-generation missile vessels for the Indian Navy. The event was led by Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, the Navy's Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition, and featured CMD Jose V J along with other senior officials. These vessels, classified as heavy-duty, high-speed stealth corvettes, are intended for anti-surface warfare, maritime strike operations, and sea-denial near strategic chokepoints.

They will be armed with anti-ship or land-attack missiles, including the BrahMos cruise missile, and will incorporate low radar cross-section, infrared, acoustic and magnetic signature reduction technologies. The order, formalised on 30 March 2023, includes six ships that will be fitted with state-of-the-art weapons and sensor suites, bolstering the Navy's combat readiness. The defence ministry framed the program as evidence of India's growing indigenous defence capabilities and its commitment to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and Make for the World initiatives.