New Delhi, July 23 -- The keel-laying ceremony of Yard 16401, the first among six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), was conducted at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai.

The 117-meter-long vessel will boast a top speed of 23 knots and an operational range of 5,000 nautical miles. It will accommodate 11 officers and 110 personnel. These ships will feature cutting-edge technologies, including AI-based predictive maintenance, Remote Piloted Drones, Integrated Bridge System (IBS), and Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).

Deputy Inspector General RH Nandodkar, Chief Staff Officer (Technical) at ICG Regional Headquarters (North West), presided over the ceremony. He was joined b...