January 21, 2013: The first of four naval offshore patrol vessels (NOPV) built by Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL), INS Saryu (P54), enters service with the Indian Navy today at Goa. INS Saryu will be the largest and first stealth OPV operated by the Indian Navy so far, and comes fitted with the latest sensors and systems.

According to GSL, "This state of the art vessel will help meet the increasing requirement of the Indian Navy to undertake ocean surveillance and surface warfare operations in order to prevent infiltration and transgression of maritime sovereignty. This vessel is suitable for monitoring sea lines of communication, defence of offshore oil installations and other critical offshore national assets. Besides, the vessel can be deployed for escorting high value ships and fleet support operations. Designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited, the warship is the culmination of many years of in-house design development and ship build techniques. Well armed, the warship has been built to the specifications and standards required by the Indian Navy." Displacing 2,200 tonnes, INS Saryu will have on board 8 officers and 105 sailors. It can take on board either a Chetak or an HAL Dhruv helicopter for surveillance and logistical duties.