KOLKATA. The Indian Navy successfully launched its first Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel, named ‘Sanghmitra’, at the GRSE shipyard in Kolkata. Built entirely in India, this new ship is named after Emperor Ashoka’s daughter to honor the country’s rich history, and its official symbol features a lighthouse along with the Ursa Major constellation. The launch ceremony was attended by top military and defense leaders, including Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan and his wife Sarita Vatsayan, who officially launched the vessel with traditional naval honors.
This ship is part of a larger government plan to build 11 advanced patrol vessels at shipyards in Goa and Kolkata to protect India’s waters. Once ready, Sanghmitra will be used for important missions like stopping sea pirates, monitoring coastlines, protecting offshore oil rigs, and helping with search and rescue operations during natural disasters. Defense officials highlighted that building this ship locally is a major success for India’s “Make in India” goals, proving that the nation is becoming completely self-reliant in manufacturing its own powerful military hardware.
