Survey Vessel – Ikshak

Source: NDTV

Context: The Indian Navy is set to commission ‘Ikshak’, the third vessel of the Survey Vessel (Large) class, built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).

• It will be the first SVL-class ship based at the Southern Naval Command.

About Survey Vessel – Ikshak:

What it is?

• INS Ikshak is an indigenously built hydrographic survey vessel, designed to conduct coastal and deep-water mapping of ports, harbours, and navigational channels, ensuring safe maritime navigation and supporting India’s blue economy operations.

Developed by: Constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd., Kolkata, with over 80% indigenous content, in collaboration with Indian MSMEs under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

• To enhance the Indian Navy’s hydrographic and oceanographic survey capacity, generate accurate nautical charts, and support navigation safety, resource mapping, and defence infrastructure planning across India’s vast maritime domain.

Key Features of INS Ikshak:

• Indigenous Build: Third Sandhayak-class survey vessel built by GRSE Kolkata with 80% indigenous content under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

• Specifications: 110 m long, 16 m beam, 3,300 t displacement; accommodates 231 crew and 20 officers.

• Advanced Equipment: Fitted with multi-beam echo sounder, side-scan sonar, AUV (1,000 m depth, 24-hr mission), ROV, and 4 survey motor boats.

• Medical Role: Convertible into a 40-bed hospital ship with OT, lab, blood bank, and isolation ward for HADR missions.

• Navigation & Power: Two diesel engines with Integrated Platform Management System, bow and stern thrusters; speed 18 knots.

• Operational Reach: Equipped with a helicopter deck for surveillance and logistics.

• Hydrographic Function: Produces nautical charts for National Hydrographic Office; supports surveys for Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar.

Significance:

• Boosts hydrographic excellence: Strengthens India’s maritime charting, seabed mapping, and naval navigation safety network.

• Strategic autonomy: Reflects India’s self-reliance in naval engineering and defence manufacturing.

• Supports Blue Economy: Enables port development, undersea cable planning, and marine resource management.