Indian Navy New Patrol Vessel ‘Sanghmitra’ Launched at GRSE Kolkata

Overview

The Indian Navy recently launched its next generation offshore patrol vessel ‘Sanghmitra’ at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. This ship is indigenously built. It is part of the Navy’s ambitious programme to build 11 such vessels at two shipyards. The vessel is named ‘Sanghmitra’, after the daughter of Emperor Ashoka. It has advanced surveillance and defence capabilities. The ship can also carry out search and rescue, anti-piracy missions, and humanitarian aid.

Latest News: Sanghmitra Launched at GRSE

On a recent date, the Indian Navy achieved a new milestone. The next generation offshore patrol vessel ‘Sanghmitra’ was launched at GRSE in Kolkata. The launch ceremony was attended by senior naval officers and GRSE officials. This vessel is a shining example of India’s growing shipbuilding capability. It is built entirely in India under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The ship will soon join the Indian Navy fleet and strengthen the country’s maritime security.

What Is the Sanghmitra Patrol Vessel?

Sanghmitra is a Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV). It was built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. GRSE is one of India’s leading defence shipyards. This vessel is part of a larger programme. The Indian Navy plans to build 11 such NGOPVs simultaneously at two shipyards. Sanghmitra is one of them. These vessels are designed to perform many tasks. They will guard India’s coastlines, protect offshore assets, and respond to emergencies at sea.

Why Is It Named ‘Sanghmitra’?

The ship is named ‘Sanghmitra’, after the daughter of Emperor Ashoka. Sanghmitra was a Buddhist nun. She is known for spreading Buddhism to Sri Lanka. She was the sister of Mahindra, who also took Buddhism to other lands. Naming a powerful naval vessel after her is a tribute to India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage. The name connects India’s ancient past with its modern defence strength.

Crest Design of the Ship

Every naval ship has a crest. The crest is a symbol that represents the ship’s identity and mission. The crest of Sanghmitra is very special. It depicts two important things. First, the  constellation of Ursa Major . Ursa Major is also known as the Great Bear or the Big Dipper. It is a group of seven bright stars. This constellation has been used for navigation for thousands of years. Sailors have looked at these stars to find their way across the oceans. The second element on the crest is a  red and white coloured lighthouse . A lighthouse is a tower that guides ships safely to shore. Together, the constellation and the lighthouse symbolise guidance, safety, and direction. This is a perfect symbol for a patrol vessel that will protect India’s seas.

Key Features of Sanghmitra

The vessel has impressive dimensions and performance. It measures  113 metres in length  and  14.6 metres in width . Its displacement is  3,000 tonnes . Displacement means the weight of the water the ship pushes aside, which is equal to its own weight. So it is a fairly large and powerful ship.

The ship has great  endurance . It can sail for  8,500 nautical miles  at a cruising speed of 14 knots without needing to refuel. To understand how far that is, one nautical mile is about 1.85 km. So 8,500 nautical miles is roughly 15,700 km. That is enough to sail from India to Australia and back. The ship