India to Build First Indigenous Polar Research Vessel with Norway's Support
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) signed an MoU with Norway's Kongsberg firm to develop India's first indigenously built Polar Research Vessel (PRV). |
| Purpose of PRV | Supports research in polar regions (North and South Poles) and ocean areas, tailored to the needs of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR). |
| Research Stations Supported | Bharati and Maitri in Antarctica, and Himadri in the Arctic. |
| Capabilities | Equipped with advanced scientific instruments to explore marine ecosystems and deep-sea biodiversity in polar and southern ocean realms. |
| Strategic Initiatives | Reinforces India's commitment to MAHASAGAR and aligns with Sagarmala 2.0, aiming to make India a global maritime leader. |
| Indigenous Development | Boosts indigenous shipbuilding capability under 'Make in India' and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. |
| NCPOR | Established on 25th May 1998 as an autonomous R&D institution under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. |
| MAHASAGAR | India's strategic initiative launched in 2025 to expand security, trade, and development cooperation across the Global South. |
| Key Focus Areas of MAHASAGAR | Trade & Connectivity, Maritime Security, Disaster Resilience & Humanitarian Aid, Economic & Cultural Engagement. |