Mumbai, June 25 -- In a significant boost to India's maritime security capabilities and indigenous shipbuilding sector, the keel-laying ceremony of the fourth Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was held at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) in Mumbai on Thursday.

The vessel is part of a contract for six NGOPVs awarded to MDL by the Indian Coast Guard on December 20, 2023. Designed, developed and being constructed indigenously, the ships are aligned with the Government of India's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and aim to strengthen the country's maritime surveillance and coastal security architecture.

The ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Indian Coast Guard and Mazagon Dock Sh...