The Indian Navy has strengthened its maritime capabilities with the induction of the advanced survey vessel ‘Sanshodhak’, marking the completion of an important four-ship survey vessel project. The vessel was delivered to the Navy on March 30, 2026, and was constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited in Kolkata.
‘Sanshodhak’ is the fourth and final ship in the series of large survey vessels built for the Indian Navy. Earlier, three vessels of the same class—INS Sandhayak, INS Nirdeshak, and INS Ikshak—were inducted into service during 2024 and 2025. With the delivery of Sanshodhak, the entire project has now been successfully completed.
Equipped with Modern Survey Technology
The survey vessel Sanshodhak has a displacement of approximately 3,400 tonnes and a length of about 110 meters. The ship is equipped with advanced hydrographic and survey equipment, making it capable of conducting detailed surveys in coastal and deep-sea areas.
The vessel includes modern data processing systems, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), DGPS systems, and digital side-scan sonar. These technologies will help the Navy identify safe navigation routes, conduct seabed mapping, and collect oceanographic and geophysical data. Apart from military use, the data collected by the vessel will also support civilian maritime activities, port development, and scientific research.
Speed, Performance and Design Standards
The vessel is powered by two high-capacity diesel engines and can achieve speeds of more than 18 knots. It has been designed and built according to the standards of the Indian Register of Shipping, ensuring safety, durability, and operational efficiency.
Survey vessels play a crucial role in naval operations as they help in updating nautical charts, mapping underwater terrain, and ensuring safe navigation for both naval and commercial vessels.
Boost to Aatmanirbhar Bharat
More than 80 percent of the vessel’s components are indigenous, making it a significant step forward for India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The project highlights India’s growing shipbuilding capabilities and the contribution of domestic industries and MSMEs in defence production.
The induction of Sanshodhak will further strengthen India’s maritime security and strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region. It also demonstrates India’s progress in indigenous defence manufacturing under the government’s self-reliance initiative.
With the completion of the four-ship survey vessel project, the Indian Navy has significantly enhanced its hydrographic survey and maritime mapping capabilities, which will support both defence operations and civilian maritime development in the coming years.
