Kongsberg Signs Waterjet Contract for Indian Navy’s Next Generation Missile Vessel

Why It Matters

The contract boosts Kongsberg’s defence revenue while accelerating India’s push to field faster, more agile missile vessels, a key step in modernising its blue‑water capabilities.

Key Takeaways

• Kongsberg to supply 18 Kamewa waterjets for six Indian NGMVs
• Contract valued over $1 billion, marking Kongsberg’s largest waterjet order
• NGMVs will use GE LM2500 turbines and BrahMos missiles, enhancing strike capability
• Waterjet propulsion gives the vessels superior speed and maneuverability
• Project underscores India’s reliance on foreign propulsion tech amid indigenous efforts

Pulse Analysis

Kongsberg Maritime’s new waterjet contract marks a pivotal return to large‑scale naval propulsion. The 18 Kamewa units will power six Next Generation Missile Vessels built by Cochin Shipyard, delivering the high‑speed, high‑maneuverability performance demanded by modern combat scenarios. By securing its biggest waterjet order yet, Kongsberg not only expands its defence footprint in Asia but also showcases the reliability of its waterjet technology, which competes with traditional propeller systems for fast‑attack platforms.

India’s NGMV programme represents a $1 billion investment to replace aging corvettes and missile boats with a class capable of carrying eight surface‑to‑surface missiles, a short‑range SAM, and a 76 mm gun. Integrated with GE’s LM2500 gas turbines, assembled locally by HAL, and slated to launch BrahMos missiles, the vessels will combine speed, firepower, and advanced radar suites such as BEL’s X‑band multifunction radar. The first ship’s steel‑cutting took place in December 2024, with commissioning expected in March 2027, underscoring a rapid build‑up of India’s blue‑water strike capacity.

Strategically, the deal highlights India’s continued reliance on foreign suppliers for critical propulsion and weapons systems, even as domestic firms push for indigenous alternatives. While the waterjet contract strengthens Kongsberg’s market position, it also fuels debate on self‑sufficiency in naval engineering. Analysts predict that the success of the NGMV class could spur further foreign collaborations, but also accelerate government incentives for home‑grown marine propulsion projects, shaping the future competitive landscape of the global defence supply chain.