The Indian Navy officially commissioned INS Nirdeshak, the second vessel in the Survey Vessel (Large) project, during a ceremony at the Visakhapatnam Naval Dockyard in Andhra Pradesh.
This notable event was led by Sanjay Seth, Union Minister of State for Defence, and hosted by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, who serves as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command. The commissioning of this ship represents a key advancement in bolstering India’s maritime capacity.
INS Nirdeshak is among four survey vessels being developed under the Survey Vessel (Large) program by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), based in Kolkata.
Designed especially to carry out hydrographic surveys, facilitate navigation, and support various maritime operations, this vessel possesses advanced features that are anticipated to significantly enhance India's capabilities in maritime exploration, environmental research, and regional security initiatives.
In his address at the ceremony, Sanjay Seth stressed the vital role of survey vessels in mapping oceanic regions and ensuring marine safety.
He pointed out that these specialized ships are essential for gathering and analyzing oceanographic data necessary for producing dependable nautical charts that aid efficient maritime activities.
Additionally, he highlighted how such vessels play an integral part in advancing maritime diplomacy: deploying them to assist allied nations exemplifies India's commitment to providing assistance without seeking reciprocation.
The minister remarked that these missions not only help strengthen bilateral relationships but also promote sustainable trade prospects moving forward.
With the commissioning of INS Nirdeshak, over 80% indigenous content is a landmark for India's development to self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing.
By employing hydrographic modern-day equipment such as Multi-Beam Echo Sounders, Side Scan Sonars, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), it promises precise mapping of underwater terrains for safer navigation, enabling deep-sea operations and speedier data collection for environmental studies and wreck identification.
The advanced capabilities of vessels will additionally strengthen India's ability to carry out surveys in hazardous and restricted zones, thus assuring safe navigation and further assisting maritime planning.
This will boost the security and environmental health of the Indian Ocean Region and cement India's leadership in regional collaboration for scientific exploration and peacekeeping initiatives.
Sanjay Seth further mentioned that the inclusion of these survey vessels would strengthen India's naval potency. He added that increasing foreign warships are now looking at the Indian Navy for hydrographic cooperation-hence India's rising stature as a trusted partner in maritime affairs.
With the completion of the commissioning of INS Nirdeshak, the history shows how successful cooperation can be between various entities in India's shipbuilding industry.
The construction of the vessel was an onslaught-based medium of cooperation guided by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau together with the GRSE, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), IRS, and several micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It signifies, once again, India's belief in the "Make in India" campaign towards growing a solid defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The ship is expected to make a substantial contribution to India's SAGAR program.
By working together with other friendly countries to share maritime data, INS Nirdeshak will contribute to strengthening regional cooperation and the cultivation of collaboration in maritime security and scientific research.
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