KOCHI, KERALA :The Indian Navy formally commissioned the Survey Vessel-Class ship Ikshak into service today at a ceremony held at the Naval Base in Kochi. The event was presided over by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, marking a significant enhancement of India’s maritime charting infrastructure.
‘Ikshak’, which translates to ‘Guide’ in Sanskrit, is the third vessel of the Survey Vessel (Large) class and is the first of its class to be based at the Southern Naval Command.
The Ministry of Defence underscored the ship’s significance as a shining example of India’s growing self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta) in shipbuilding. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd., Kolkata, the vessel boasts over 80% indigenous content, reflecting a successful synergy with Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Admiral Tripathi, during recent public remarks, highlighted the Navy’s rapid expansion, noting that a new indigenous warship or submarine is being added roughly every 40 days, aiming for a fleet of over 200 vessels by 2035. The commissioning of Ikshak reinforces this trajectory.
Ikshak is designed to bolster the Indian Navy’s hydrographic survey capabilities across the nation’s vast maritime domain.
Its core mission is to undertake full-scale coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys of ports, harbours, and navigational channels. The precision data gathered will be vital for:
Ensuring safe navigation at sea for naval, merchant, and civil vessels.
Strengthening India’s maritime safety framework.
The vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art hydrographic and oceanographic tools, including a high-resolution Multi-Beam Echo Sounder, an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), and four Survey Motor Boats (SMBs).
Beyond its primary survey role, Ikshak is also designed with a dual-role capability, enabling it to function as a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) platform and as a Hospital Ship during emergencies. Notably, it is also the first SVL ship to feature dedicated women-specific accommodation, reflecting the Navy’s inclusive approach towards a future-ready fleet.
