NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, NOV 5
The Indian Navy is set to mark another major stride in its pursuit of maritime excellence with the commissioning of INS Ikshak, the third vessel of the Survey Vessel (Large) [SVL] class and the first to be based at the Southern Naval Command, Kochi. The state-of-the-art survey ship will be formally inducted into service by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, at a commissioning ceremony to be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the Naval Base, Kochi.
Witness the Hydrographic Prowess!
Unveiling the cutting-edge features of the indigenously built Survey Vessel (Large), enhancing India's hydrographic excellence.
Equipped with advanced survey boats, Multi-Beam Echo Sounder, ROVs, and hydrographic survey capability and maritime… pic.twitter.com/K7fHvRlQSo
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) November 5, 2025
Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd., Kolkata, Ikshak stands as a landmark in India’s indigenous shipbuilding journey, boasting over 80% indigenous content. The ship is a product of close collaboration between GRSE and Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), exemplifying the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative’s success in advancing self-reliant defence manufacturing.
- Third vessel of the Survey Vessel (Large) class to join fleet; first to be based at Southern Naval Command
- Built with 80% indigenous content, Ikshak embodies Aatmanirbhar Bharat in action and precision at sea
Derived from the Sanskrit word meaning ‘Guide’, ‘Ikshak’ aptly represents the vessel’s role as a beacon of precision, purpose, and maritime safety. Designed to undertake comprehensive coastal and deep-sea hydrographic surveys, the ship will map ports, harbours, and navigational channels—producing critical data to enhance safe navigation and strengthen India’s maritime security architecture.
Equipped with cutting-edge hydrographic and oceanographic systems, Ikshak features a high-resolution multi-beam echo sounder, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), and four Survey Motor Boats (SMBs). The vessel is also equipped with a helicopter deck, expanding its operational versatility for multi-domain missions and rapid-response tasks.
The commissioning of Ikshak underscores the Navy’s commitment to augmenting its survey and charting infrastructure, enabling India to achieve greater autonomy in maritime mapping, oceanographic research, and navigational safety.
As it sets sail, INS Ikshak stands as a symbol of indigenous strength, technological excellence, and national pride — charting new waters in India’s maritime legacy and guiding the way toward a secure, self-reliant, and strategically empowered oceanic future.
