Visakhapatnam: Marking another milestone in the country’s maritime capabilities, the Indian Navy has appointed the director of state-of-the-art survey ship (large) INS. Union Minister of State for Defense Sanjay Seth presided over the commissioning ceremony at the Naval Dockyard here on Wednesday.
Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) of Kolkata, the vessel represents a significant achievement in indigenous shipbuilding. More than 80 percent of its ingredients were domestically sourced.
INS Nirdeshak is equipped with advanced hydrographic systems including multi-beam echo sounders, side scan sonars, autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated vehicles, enabling precise ocean mapping and data collection.
Sanjay Seth said that survey ships act as a powerful tool of maritime diplomacy. “When these ships undertake missions in support of friendly nations, they embody India’s core diplomatic philosophy of unconditional assistance. By providing assistance without expecting immediate returns, these vessels can build strong bilateral ties and potentially create long-term business opportunities.”
Besides, these new survey vessels enhance India’s maritime capabilities, with foreign naval forces seeking hydrographic cooperation with the Indian Navy, he said.
Rajesh Pendharkar, Vice Admiral and Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, said that INS Director, the second ship of the survey vessel Big Project, represents a state-of-the-art addition to the fleet. “The ship is a testament to India’s commitment to demonstrate self-reliance, indigenous design and manufacturing capabilities in shipbuilding.”
It is designed to perform a wide range of hydrographic surveys in both coastal and deep water and can also be deployed as a humanitarian aid or hospital ship.
He praised GRSE for its development and capability in building complex naval vessels and acknowledged the contribution of various teams involved in making the INS directorate a success. He praised the commission team for achieving high level of readiness during commissioning.
The ship has more than 80 per cent indigenous materials, confirming the Indian Navy’s belief in India’s expertise and self-reliance in ship design and construction. The 110 meter long vessel with a displacement of approximately 3800 tons, is powered by two diesel engines and can accommodate 230 crew members.