The Indian Navy’s Survey Vessel (Large) project has formally commenced with the launch (first contact of a new ship with water) of the first ship of the class ‘Sandhayak’ by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) at its shipyard in Kolkata.
‘Sandhayak’ is the first of four indigenously designed and developed survey vessels built by GRSE for the Navy under an INR 2,435 crore contract inked in October 2018. GRSE is building the first ship, and L&T Shipbuilding will manufacture the remaining three survey vessels at its Kattupalli shipyard. GRSE is also presently involved in manufacturing Project 17A frigates and Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts for the Navy.
The Navy will use these new survey vessels for full scale coastal & deep-water hydrographic surveys of ports & harbour approaches and determine navigational channels & routes. The new ships will also survey maritime limits and collection of oceanographic & geographical data for defence applications.
They will also be capable of performing secondary roles such as Search & Rescue (SAR) and disaster relief, in addition to acting as a hospital ship during emergencies, albeit with limited facilities. A retractable hangar will allow a utility helicopter to be carried aboard.
According to the Navy, Sandhayak Class vessels will have over 80% indigenous content by cost. At present, there are 37 warships and submarines under construction for the Indian Navy at different shipyards in the country.