The Indian Navy will commission Ikshak, an indigenously built hydrographic survey vessel, at the Naval Base in Kochi on 6 November 2025. The ship is the third in the Survey Vessel (Large) series and the first to be based at the Southern Naval Command.
The vessel has been constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited, Kolkata, with over 80 percent indigenous content. The project reflects the growing localisation of India’s shipbuilding industry and the collaborative role of Indian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in supplying critical components and subsystems.
The vessel’s construction involved extensive participation from domestic equipment manufacturers and system integrators, covering hull fabrication, propulsion systems, onboard sensors and survey equipment. The integration of locally developed technologies demonstrates GRSE’s capacity to deliver complex platforms under India’s self-reliance initiative in defence production.
Designed for full-scale coastal and deep-sea hydrographic surveys, Ikshak is equipped with a suite of advanced instruments including a high-resolution multi-beam echo sounder, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and four Survey Motor Boats (SMBs). These systems will enable the ship to conduct precise seabed mapping and oceanographic data collection for charting ports, harbours and navigational routes.
The 110-metre vessel also features a helicopter deck, allowing air operations for extended survey missions and logistic support. The ship’s onboard facilities support real-time data analysis and communication, enhancing the Navy’s hydrographic capabilities for both national and international charting requirements.
The commissioning of Ikshak continues the induction of vessels under the Survey Vessel (Large) project, following the earlier deliveries of Sandhayak and Nirdeshak.
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited is a state-owned shipyard based in Kolkata, engaged in building a range of naval platforms including frigates, corvettes and auxiliary vessels for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.
