Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 13: The Indian Navy will commission Samarthak, a multi-purpose vessel designed for maritime surveillance, patrol and other strategically important operations, at Naval Base Karwar on October 16, an official said on Tuesday.
Built by a private company under the Union government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, Samarthak is the first of four multi-purpose vessels being inducted into the Indian Navy.
The commissioning marks another milestone in India’s efforts towards defence self-reliance. The vessel is expected to become an important component of the Navy’s future fleet, serving as a versatile utility ship for a range of operational requirements, the official statement said.
Designed primarily for maritime surveillance and patrol, Samarthak can also undertake Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), function as a platform for target deployment and trials, and serve as a mothership for unmanned and autonomous systems.
Its other capabilities include Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), conversion into a limited hospital ship and salvage operations, the statement added.
The vessel’s integrated combat suite combines indigenous sensors, weapons and electronic systems specifically optimised to operate in challenging maritime conditions.
The crest of Samarthak features a formidable Indian elephant emerging from the waves, symbolising strength, intelligence and agility. Its motto is “Victory is Our Sole Aim”, the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy announced the commissioning of INS Mangrol, the third indigenous Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at Mumbai on October 12.
The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command.
In a post on social media platform X, the Navy said INS Mangrol would carry forward the proud legacy of its historic namesake.
Equipped with advanced weapons and sensors, the vessel will strengthen the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities in coastal and shallow waters.
The commissioning marks another step in the induction of a new generation of indigenous anti-submarine warfare vessels, which the Navy described as lethal, agile and proudly Indian.