Panaji

Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Tarun Sobti on Tuesday said recent global conflicts have reinforced the importance of a strong naval force, asserting that the Indian Navy remains a key instrument of India’s maritime power and regional stability.

He was speaking at the launch of the first Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) built by Goa Shipyard Limited in Vasco, Goa.

Highlighting India’s maritime identity, Sobti said the country’s vast coastline, island territories across the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, and its Exclusive Economic Zone make the maritime domain both a responsibility and an opportunity.

“The seas around us carry the lifeline of trade, energy and connectivity. Safeguarding these interests requires a capable, responsive and forward-looking navy,” he said.

Referring to ongoing tensions in West Asia, Sobti noted that rising geopolitical competition has made maritime security even more critical. He emphasised that the Indian Navy plays a growing role in shaping the strategic environment in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.

“With increasing global competition, the Indian Navy continues to be the prime manifestation of India’s maritime strength and an important tool for diplomacy,” he said.

He also stressed the need for India to remain a preferred security partner and a first responder in the region to counter maritime threats and prevent hostile forces from gaining a foothold.

The induction of platforms like the NGOPV, he said, is crucial to meeting present and emerging challenges.

Describing the launch as a milestone, Sobti said it marks the beginning of a new chapter in India’s maritime capability, reflecting years of planning, design, and coordinated effort.

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The vessel measures 113 metres in length and 14.6 metres in breadth, with a displacement of 2,600 tonnes. It has an operational endurance of 8,500 nautical miles and will be commanded by an officer leading a crew of 19 officers and 130 sailors.