INS Sandhayak
Why it Matters?
INS Sandhayak’s maiden visit to Port Klang, Malaysia, underscores India’s commitment to regional hydrographic cooperation and the MAHASAGAR vision for maritime growth.
What You Should Know?
INS Sandhayak is the first of the four Survey Vessel Large (SVL).
It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 3rd February 2024 at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.
It is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, under the SVL project.
It is designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) of the Indian Navy.
The ship has a displacement of 3,400 tonnes and an overall length of 110 meters.
It is equipped with modern hydrographic systems like Multi-Beam Echo-Sounders (MBES), Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), and Side Scan Sonars.
It can conduct full-scale hydrographic surveys of ports, harbours, coastal areas, and deep seas.
It is capable of oceanographic data collection, Search and Rescue (SAR), and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
It is propelled by two diesel engines, capable of achieving speeds in excess of 18 knots.
It has over 80% indigenous content by cost, showcasing Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in defence manufacturing.
It plays a vital role in India’s maritime strategy across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and Indo-Pacific.
It strengthens India’s capability under the Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR) vision.
It supports rules-based international maritime order and combats illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
It assists in anti-piracy, anti-smuggling, and drone attack rescue operations in global choke points like the Gulf of Aden.
It enhances Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD) capability.