Ikshak (Yard 3027), the third of the four Survey Vessel Large ships and the 102nd vessel built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), was delivered to the Indian Navy on Thursday. Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, the ship was constructed at GRSE, Kolkata, and overseen by the Warship Overseeing Team (Kolkata).
With a displacement of about 3,400 tonnes and an overall length of 110 metres, Ikshak is fitted with state-of-the-art hydrographic equipment, such as a Data Acquisition and Processing System, an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, a Remotely Operated Vehicle, DGPS long-range positioning systems, and a digital side-scan sonar. Powered by two diesel engines, the ship can achieve speeds in excess of 18 knots. Ikshak is also the first SVL Ship to be delivered with accommodation for women officers and sailors.
The first ship of the class, INS Sandhayak, was commissioned in February 2024, while the second ship, INS Nirdeshak, was inducted in December last year.
Sharing details, a naval spokesperson said the SVL ships are designed and built as per the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping by M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
The ship is capable of conducting full-scale coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys of port and harbour approaches, and determining navigational channels and routes. It will also collect oceanographic and geophysical data for defence and civil applications.
“Ikshak has an indigenous content of over 80% in terms of cost. Ikshak’s delivery reaffirms the impetus of the Government of India and the Indian Navy towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’,” the spokesperson added.
Ikshak’s delivery is a tribute to the collaborative efforts of a large number of stakeholders, MSMEs, and the Indian industry in enhancing the nation’s maritime prowess in the Indian Ocean Region.