INS Sandhayak: Country's First Survey Ship Commissioned in Indian Navy

Utkarsh Classes Last Updated 05-02-2024

INS Sandhayak: Country's First Survey Ship Commissioned in Indian Navy

Defence 5 min read

The country's first and largest survey ship INS Sandhayak (Yard 3025) formally commissioned into the Indian Navy on February 3, 2024. INS Sandhayak was commissioned into the Indian Navy by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.

Benefits of INS Sandhayak to the Indian Navy:

With the induction of INS Sandhayak into the Navy, the strength of the Indian Navy will increase along with self-reliance.
The Navy will get assistance in analyzing marine data.
At present the Indian Navy is so strong that we have become the first responder in terms of security in the Indian Ocean and Indian Pacific region.

Uses of INS Sandhayak:

INS Sandhayak will help in achieving the dual objective of obtaining information about the oceans and protecting the country as well as other countries.
The function of this ship is to enable safe maritime navigation. To address this issue, extensive hydrographic surveys will be conducted, covering ports, navigation channels, routes, coastal areas, and deep seas.
The ship is capable of carrying out a variety of naval missions.

INS Sandhayak is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment:

INS Sandhayak is equipped with state-of-the-art hydrographic equipment. It includes 80 percent indigenous content. These devices mainly include:

Deep Water Multibeam Echo-Sounders
Underwater Vehicles
Remotely Operated Vehicles
Satellite-Based Positioning System
Side Scan Sonar
Data Acquisition and Processing System

Background of INS Sandhayak:

The foundation stone of INS Sandhayak was laid on 12 March 2019 and the ship was launched on 5 December 2021.
According to the Indian Navy, four large survey vessels are under construction at M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata. INS Sandhayak is the first among them.
INS Sandhayak underwent testing both in port and at sea. After this, it was handed over to the Navy on December 4, 2023.

Features of INS Sandhayak:

The ship has a displacement of 3,400 tonnes and an overall length of 110 meters and a beam of 16 metres.
The Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy is spearheading the project.
It is equipped with state-of-the-art hydrographic equipment. This includes deep sea and shallow water multibeam echo sounders, autonomous underwater vehicles and others.
The terrestrial survey equipment ship is powered by two diesel engines.
It is capable of achieving speed of over 18 knots.
In terms of cost, more than 80 percent indigenous material is used in it.
This is a tribute to the collaborative efforts between the Indian Navy and industry, including MSMEs.

Navy launched a range of state-of-the-art platforms over the decade:

Speaking at the launch of INS Sandhayak, Admiral R. Hari Kumar said that in the last decade, the Navy has launched a wide range of state-of-the-art platforms. Chief among these are :
- powerful aircraft carrier Vikrant
- Visakhapatnam class destroyer
- Versatile-class frigate
- Kalvari class submarines
- Special ship for diving.
The last three warships and submarines have been inducted into the Navy in the last ten years. All of these have been built in India and Sandhayak is the 34th ship to be built in India.

Challenge for Indian Navy in Indian Ocean:

At present the Indian Ocean is counted as a hotspot in global trade.
Numerous critical chokepoints in the Indian Ocean, such as the Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Guinea, facilitate significant international trade routes.
There are many dangers at these choke points. Pirates pose the most significant threat in these vital chokepoints.