Indian Navy Receives First Survey Vessel (Large) "Sandhayak" from GRSE

• 07 Dec 2023

On 4^th Dec, The Indian Navy takes delivery of the first Survey Vessel (Large) ship, "Sandhayak," constructed at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, as part of a contract signed on 30 October, 2018.

Key Points

• Design and Construction: Sandhayak and its three counterparts are designed and constructed in compliance with the rules of the Indian Register of Shipping Classification society by GRSE, Kolkata.
• The vessels are specialized for comprehensive coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys, determining navigational channels, and collecting oceanographic and geophysical data for both defence and civil applications.
• Operational Scope: The ships are equipped for operations within maritime limits up to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and extended continental shelf. In a secondary role, they serve limited defence functions and can function as hospital ships during wartime or emergencies.
• Technical Specifications: With a displacement of approximately 3400 tons and an overall length of 110 meters, Sandhayak is equipped with advanced hydrographic tools, including a Data Acquisition and Processing System, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, Remotely Operated Vehicle, DGPS Long-range positioning systems, and Digital side-scan sonar.
• Construction Timeline: The keel for the ship was laid on 12 Mar 19, and it was launched on 05 Dec 21. Sandhayak underwent extensive trials in both harbour and at sea before its official delivery to the Indian Navy on 04 Dec 23.
• Indigenous Contribution: Sandhayak boasts an indigenous content exceeding 80% by cost, aligning with the "Aatma Nirbhar Bharat" initiative.
• The vessel's delivery underscores the collaborative efforts of numerous stakeholders, MSMEs, and the Indian industry in strengthening the nation's maritime capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region, even amidst challenges such as COVID and geopolitical factors during its construction.