Fourth warship of Indian Navy 'Sanshodhak' launched

Tags: Defence National News

The fourth Survey Vessel Large (SVL) of the Indian Navy, named 'Sanshodhak', was launched at Kattupalli, Chennai on 13th June. 

An overview of the news

• The launch ceremony, held on June 13, was attended by Adhir Arora, Chief Hydrographer to the Government of India, as the chief guest. 

• Tanvi Arora launched the ship while an invocation from the Atharva Veda was chanted, following naval maritime traditions.

About 'Sanshodhak' warship

• The ship's name, meaning 'Researcher', reflects its primary role as a Survey Vessel.

• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) highlighted the launch of the fourth SVL as a testament to India's commitment to indigenous shipbuilding, aligning with the government's 'Make in India' and Aatma Nirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) vision. 

• The project, undertaken by L&T/GRSE for the Indian Navy, demonstrates the nation's resolve in promoting self-sufficiency in defense manufacturing.

Purpose and features of SVL ships

• The SVL ships are designed to replace the existing Sandhayak Class survey ships and are equipped with new-generation hydrographic equipment to collect oceanographic data. 

• These ships have a length of 110 meters, a width of 16 meters, and a displacement of 3,400 tons. 

• The hull of the ships is constructed using DMR 249-A steel, an indigenously developed material manufactured by the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). 

• With over 80 percent indigenous content by cost, the SVL project promotes defense production by Indian manufacturing units, contributing to employment generation and enhancing warship building capabilities in the country.

Construction and launch timeline

• The contract for building four SVL ships was signed between the MoD and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, on October 30, 2018. 

• As per the build strategy, the first ship was built at GRSE, Kolkata, while the construction of the remaining three ships up to the outfitting stage was sub-contracted to L&T Shipbuilding, Kattupalli. 

• The first three ships, named Sandhayak, Nirdeshak, and Ikshak, were launched on December 5, 2021, May 26, 2022, and November 26, 2022, respectively.