Indian Navy Receives Delivery of First Survey Vessel ‘Sandhayak’ in its Fleet

Sandhayak (Yard 3025), the first of four Survey Vessel (Large) ships, being built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, was delivered to the Indian Navy on 04 Dec 23. The Contract for four Survey Vessel (Large) was signed on 30 Oct 18.

The SVL ships are designed and built to the rules of Indian Register of Shipping Classification society by M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. The primary role of the ship would be full scale coastal and deep-water Hydrographic Survey of Port/ Harbour approaches and determination of navigational channels/ routes. Zone of operation includes maritime limits upto EEZ/ extended continental shelf. The ships will also collect oceanographic and geophysical data for defence and civil applications. In their secondary role, ships will provide limited defence and function as Hospital ship during war/ emergencies. With a displacement of about 3400 tons and an overall length of 110 meters, Sandhayak is fitted with state of the art hydrographic equipment such as Data Acquisition and Processing System, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, Remotely Operated Vehicle, DGPS Long range positioning systems, Digital side scan sonar etc. Powered by two Diesel Engines, the ship is capable of achieving speeds in excess of 18 knots.

The Keel for ship was laid on 12 Mar 19 and the ship was launched on 05 Dec 21. The ship has undergone a comprehensive schedule of trials in harbour and at sea, leading up to its delivery to Indian Navy on 04 Dec 23.

Sandhayak has an indigenous content of over 80% by cost. The delivery of Sandhayak is an affirmation of the impetus being given by the Government of India and the Indian Navy towards ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’. The induction of Sandhayak, despite COVID and other Geo Political challenges during its construction, is a tribute to the collaborative efforts of large number of stake holders, MSMEs and Indian Industry in enhancing the maritime prowess of the Nation in the Indian Ocean Region.