The Indian Navy has received Nirdeshak, the second of four planned Survey Vessels (Large), from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) on October 8, 2024. The vessel, built in Kolkata, is part of a contract signed on October 30, 2018, for the construction of four survey ships. The first vessel in the class, INS Sandhayak, was commissioned in February 2024.
Designed to carry out coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys, Nirdeshak will assist in identifying navigational channels and collecting oceanographic and geophysical data for both defense and civil use. The ship, with a displacement of approximately 3,400 tons and a length of 110 meters, is equipped with advanced hydrographic technology. This includes systems for data acquisition and processing, autonomous and remotely operated underwater vehicles, digital side scan sonar, and DGPS long-range positioning systems. It is powered by two diesel engines, allowing it to reach speeds exceeding 18 knots.
Construction on Nirdeshak began with the keel laying on December 1, 2020, followed by its launch on May 26, 2022. The ship underwent extensive harbor and sea trials before delivery. Notably, over 80% of the ship’s content is domestically sourced, reflecting the ongoing emphasis on indigenous production within India’s defense industry.