Sandhayak (Yard 3025), the first of four Survey Vessels (Large) (SVL) being built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, was handed over to the Indian Navy on 04 December 2023.
Manufacturing of Sandhya using maximum indigenous material:
- In terms of cost, Sandhyak has more than 80 percent indigenous content. The delivery of Sandhyak is a confirmation of the encouragement being given by the Government of India and the Indian Navy towards 'Self-reliant India'.
Sandhayak's construction boosts Indian Navy's strategic capability:
- The induction of Sandhyak, despite COVID and other geopolitical challenges during construction, is the result of collaborative efforts of a large number of stakeholders, MSMEs and Indian industry towards enhancing the nation's maritime power in the Indian Ocean region.
Contract with GRSE, Kolkata for construction of SVL:
- The contract for the design and construction of four Survey Vessels (Large) (SVL) was signed with GRSE, Kolkata on 30 October 2018.
- The SVL vessels are designed and built by M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata as per Indian Register of Shipping Classification Society norms.
Role of Survey Ships (Large):
- The primary role of the vessel will be to conduct a complete coastal and deep-water hydrographic survey of port approaches and determination of navigation channels/routes.
- The operational area of Survey Vessels (Large) includes the maritime limits up to the EEZ/Extended Continental Shelf. These vessels will also collect oceanographic and geophysical data for defense and civil applications.
- In their secondary role, these ships will provide limited protection and act as hospitals during war/emergency.
Features of Sandhayak Survey Vessel (Large):
- The displacement capacity of Sandhyak is approximately 3400 tonnes. Its total length is 110 meters.
- Sandhayak is equipped with state-of-the-art hydrographic equipment such as data acquisition and processing system, autonomous underwater vehicle, remote piloted vehicle, DGPS Long Range Positioning System, digital side scan sonar.
- Powered by two diesel engines, the vessel is capable of achieving speeds of over 18 knots.