Karwar: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan commissioned INS Samarthak, the Indian Navy’s first indigenous multi-purpose vessel built by a private shipyard, at the Karwar naval base in Karnataka.
INS Samarthak: Main Features
Constructed by Larsen and Toubro (L&T) at its Kattupalli shipyard in Tamil Nadu under the Make in India initiative, the vessel features over 75 per cent indigenous content. Consequently, the commissioning represents a major step forward in India’s drive for domestic warship construction and strategic defence self-reliance.
[L&T Kattupalli Shipyard] ──▶ Builds INS Samarthak (75%+ Indigenous Content)
│
[Karwar Naval Base] ◀──( Commissioned by Vice-President Radhakrishnan )──┘
INS Samarthak: Key Operational Highlights
• Indigenous Build Content: Exceeds 75 per cent local content.
• Multi-Role Versatility: Supports maritime surveillance, weapons trials, and autonomous systems.
• Advanced Dynamic Positioning: Enables precise target launch and recovery during sea exercises.
• Emergency Capabilities: Equipped for heavy towing, firefighting, and limited hospital ship conversion.
Significantly, INS Samarthak represents the first of four multi-purpose vessels inducted into the Indian Navy.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan emphasized that L&T’s Warship Design Centre engineered and constructed the warship entirely in-house. Furthermore, the induction marks the first time the Navy has commissioned a major warship built by a private defence contractor.
Testing Ground for Next-Generation Maritime Technologies
Crucially, INS Samarthak will serve as an advanced trials platform for testing indigenous weapons, sensors, and emerging unmanned maritime technologies.
INS SAMARTHAK CORE OPERATIONAL ROLES
┌────────────────────────────────┼────────────────────────────────┐
▼ ▼ ▼
[Weapons & Sensor Trials] [Unmanned Systems Operations] [Disaster Relief & HADR]
Accelerates prototype testing Deploys autonomous sea platforms Heavy towing & medical support
Addressing the ceremony, Vice-President Radhakrishnan stated that self-reliance in defence manufacturing increasingly underpins India’s strategic autonomy.
Additionally, he praised Project Seabird’s infrastructure expansion at Karwar, noting that the deep natural harbour provides vital support for basing and sustaining warships across the Indian Ocean Region.
INS Samarthak Vessel Specifications
| Technical Parameter | Primary Feature / Detail | Operational Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Vessel Classification | Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) | First of four contracted ships. |
| Manufacturing Partner | Larsen & Toubro (L&T) | Built at Kattupalli Shipyard, Tamil Nadu. |
| Indigenous Component | Exceeds 75 per cent | Promotes domestic MSMEs and supply chains. |
| Ship Crest & Motto | Indian Elephant / “विजयार्थम् एकनिष्ठता” | Symbolises strength and single-minded victory. |
| Primary Mission Suite | Patrol, Trials, HADR, Towing | Rapid deployment across maritime zones. |
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